2026 World Cup opener: Mexico beat South Africa 2-0
The much anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup began with Mexico kicking off with a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the tournament’s opening match on Thursday, with goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez securing the win.
The Group A encounter at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City saw South Africa finish with nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off, while Mexico’s Cesar Montes also received a late red card.
Recall that Quinones opened the scoring in the ninth minute after capitalising on a mistake by Sithole, before Jimenez doubled Mexico’s lead in the 67th minute with a header from Roberto Alvarado’s cross.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s problems worsened when Sithole was dismissed in the 49th minute for bringing down Brian Gutierrez, while Zwane received a red card in the 84th minute following a Video Assistant Referee review.
The victory gives Mexico a strong start in Group A as the co-hosts begin their quest for a place in the knockout stage of the tournament.
