The Mexican national team opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over South Africa in their opening Group A match at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Friday morning at 12:30 AM IST.
The intense match saw Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio issue three straight red cards: two to South African players and one to a Mexican player.
Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez each scored to secure the first three points for El Tri. This result puts Mexico at the top of Group A with three points, ahead of the Friday morning clash between South Korea and the Czech Republic, which kicks off at 7:30 AM IST.
Mexico took the initiative on the attack right from the kickoff. The hosts took a 1-0 lead in the 9th minute through Julian Quinones, who capitalized on a defensive mistake by South Africa. The opening goal came after Erik Lira won the ball in the opposition half and passed it to Quinones, who fired a low shot that slid under the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. The strike recorded as the fastest goal in a World Cup opening match since Philipp Lahm scored for Germany in the sixth minute against Costa Rica during the 2006 edition.
South Africa struggled to overcome the pressure throughout the first half, allowing Mexico to maintain their 1-0 lead until halftime.
Things became increasingly difficult for South Africa early in the second half. In the 49th minute, Sphephelo Sithole received a straight red card for a foul on Brian Gutierrez, who was in a clear scoring position.
The decision left South Africa playing with 10 men. Although Raul Jimenez's subsequent free kick hit the defensive wall, Mexico eventually doubled their lead to 2-0 in the 67th minute. Jimenez scored with a precise header off a cross from the right flank.
South Africa lost a second player in the 83rd minute when Themba Zwane received a straight red card. A VAR review showed that Zwane punched Roberto Alvarado in the face while trying to escape his marker.
Playing with just nine men, South Africa struggled to mount a comeback. However, the red card drama continued into stoppage time. Mexican defender Cesar Montes was sent off with a straight red card for denying Khuliso Mudau a golden scoring opportunity.
Despite playing with 10 men in the final minutes, Mexico maintained their advantage until the final whistle to close out the 2-0 victory.
Mexico Lineup (4-1-4-1): Raul Rangel; Israel Reyes, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo; Erik Lira; Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, Alvaro Fidalgo, Julian Quinones; Raul Jimenez.
South Africa Lineup (5-3-2): Ronwen Williams; Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba; Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Jauden Adams; Lyle Foster, Iqraam Rayners.
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