Mexico began their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa in a dramatic and ill-tempered opening match that saw three red cards and the African side finish with nine men at the iconic Estadio Azteca on Thursday.
Julian Quinones scored the opening goal of the tournament in the ninth minute, drilling a low shot through the legs of South Africa’s goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams, before veteran striker Raul Jimenez added a second in the 67th minute, nodding home from a Roberto Alvarado cross at the far post.
South Africa finished with only nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off. Sithole was dismissed in the 49th minute after bundling over Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez when clean through on goal, while Zwane received his marching orders in the 84th minute after a VAR review for flinging an arm into the face of Alvarado.
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South Africa coach Hugo Broos had warned his players to be ready for the intimidating atmosphere created by a capacity 80,824 crowd at the imposing concrete arena, but it ended in dashed hopes for the opener. Mexico’s win gets their bid for qualification from Group A off to a smooth start.
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