Mexico beat South Africa in chaotic World Cup opener

Group A

Mexico 2-0 South Africa

Co-hosts Mexico made a strong start to their 2026 World Cup campaign as they defeated nine-man South Africa at a packed Azteca Stadium in the tournament opener.

Three players were sent off in all, with Mexico reduced to 10 men in the closing moments.

Mexico had only needed nine minutes before they delighted their fans with the first goal of the finals.

South Africa midfielder Yaya Sithole was tackled by Erik Lira and the ball dropped to Julian Quinones whose powerful strike went though the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Quinones almost made it 2-0 just before half-time, but his 12-yard first-time shot bounced off the foot of the right post.

The hosts’ task became much easier when Sithole was sent off five minutes into the second half, bringing down Brian Gutierrez when he was going through on goal.

Striker Raul Jimenez, 35, sealed the victory with his first goal at a World Cup, heading in powerfully from Roberto Alvarado’s cross for Mexico’s second, a moment that appeared to bring tears from the veteran.

South Africa were playing in the finals for the first time since they hosted the 2010 competition, but they ended with nine men as substitute Themba Zwane was sent off for slapping the face of Alvarado.

Seventeen-year-old Mexico midfielder, Gilberto Mora, the youngest player in this tournament, became the second youngest to appear in a finals, behind only Brazil great Pele, who played in the 1958 competition when he was also 17.

Mexico had a red card of their own late on, when Cesar Montes fouled Khuliso Mudau, but the hosts maintained their two-goal advantage.

This is Mexico’s third experience of World Cup hosting, and they have got off to the perfect start, late red card notwithstanding.

Just as in 1970 and 1986, the famous Azteca in Mexico City staged the opening match of the tournament.

Fans were treated to a colourful opening ceremony with Colombian singer Shakira among the performers, before the football began.

The carnival atmosphere continued as Mexico, ranked 14th in the world, instantly took control against a South Africa side who sit 46 places below them.

After South Africa gifted the home side an early goal, there only looked to be one likely outcome, with Bafana Bafana’s task becoming much harder following Sithole’s red card.

Jimenez suffered a life-threatening fractured skull injury when playing for Wolves against Arsenal in November 2020 and was in tears of joy as he celebrated scoring his first goal on the highest stage.

At the age of 35, it was clear this game meant a lot to the striker who will return to Wolves for next season after ending his stint at Fulham.

He nearly scored after four minutes, only for a superb one-handed save from Williams to keep out a well-struck half-volley.

But he got his moment midway through the second half with a superb header, letting the emotions spill out as he celebrated with team-mates.