Mexico began their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating South Africa 2-0 in the tournament’s opening match at the Azteca Stadium.
Mexico dominated the match from the outset, controlling possession, creating the better chances, and capitalising on South Africa’s disciplinary troubles to secure a comfortable victory in front of their home supporters.
The first goal of the tournament came at the 9th minute, after an error made by South Africa’s defense, Mexico’s Julian Quiñones pounced on a loose pass, drove into the box, and calmly finished through the goalkeeper’s legs, increasing their confidence going further into the game.
South Africa got reduced to 10 men in the 49th minute, after Sithole recieved a red card for committing a foul on Gutierrez at the brink of getting a goal, thereby denying him goal scoring opportunity.
The hosts capitalized on the advantage in the 67th minute when Raúl Jiménez powered a header past the goalkeeper to send the Azteca crowd into eruption, sealing their win.
South Africa recieved their second red card in the 83rd minute, after Themba Zwane initiated a harsh contact to the face of Roberto Alvarado, reducing the visitors to 9 men and very little hope of comeback.
The Mexicans got reduced to 10 men in the 92nd minute, after césar Montes fouled Khuliso Mudau at the edge of the box, denying goal scoring opportunity for the visitors, making it the third red card of the night.
This win temporarily puts the Mexicans at the top of the Group A table on a goal difference, before the rest of the group games reshapes the standings.
As for South Africa, they drop to the bottom of Group A after the defeat, still without a point and needing a result in their next match to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
