Goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez give hosts a winning start in a match that featured three red cards.
Image: Olympics.com
Co-hosts Mexico national football team kicked off the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a convincing 2-0 win over South Africa national football team at the historic Estadio Azteca on Thursday.
Mexico took an early lead through Julian Quinones, who capitalized on a midfield mistake and finished confidently past the goalkeeper. The hosts controlled most of the match and doubled their advantage in the second half when Raul Jimenez headed home from a cross by Roberto Alvarado.
The match turned heated after South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole was sent off early in the second half for a foul on a goal-scoring run. Later, teammate Themba Zwane also received a red card following a VAR review.
Mexico finished the game with 10 men as defender Cesar Montes was dismissed in stoppage time for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Despite the late controversy, Mexico celebrated a historic victory in front of a packed home crowd, earning their first-ever win in a World Cup opening match and taking an early lead in Group A.
