Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in World Cup opener
Photo: REUTERS
Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored the two goals, one in each half.
This marked the second time the two teams have met on the world stage. They also faced each other in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, where South Africa earned a draw after a resilient performance.
However, South Africa offered little attacking threat this time, at least in the first half, busy merely defending against Mexico’s excellent football.
Playing before 84,000 spectators at their home ground, Mexico started aggressively. They did not have to wait long for a goal; Quiñones put the hosts ahead in the 9th minute, finishing from Érick Lira’s pass.
Mexico continued to attack with equal momentum after the break. While trying to handle that pressure, Yaya Sithole received the first red card. He saw red for a bad foul on Mexico’s Gutiérrez, leaving South Africa with ten men.
In the 66th minute, Gilberto Mora replaced Mexico’s Álvaro Fidalgo, becoming the youngest player in this World Cup.
Just a minute later, Mexico went 2-0 up. Raúl Jiménez scored a header from Roberto Alvarado’s assist.
Trailing 2-0, South Africa was reduced to nine men after another red card in the final moments. Themba Zwane was sent off after a VAR review for an off-the-ball incident with Mexico’s Alvarado.
When Mexico’s César Montes also received a red card in stoppage time, the hosts ultimately won 2-0 in a nine-versus-ten battle.
