Mexico started their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a win on Thursday, defeating South Africa 2-0 in the tournament’s opening match at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The game was played to the spectacle of 80,824 spectators and featured three red cards, turning what should have been a celebratory occasion for Bafana Bafana into a difficult night.
Mexico took the lead in the ninth minute when Julián Quiñones pounced on a South African defensive error and fired past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. The early goal settled the hosts and gave the home crowd exactly the start they had hoped for.
South Africa held on until the second half but their hopes of a comeback were ended abruptly when the game turned on discipline. Four minutes after the restart, Yaya Sithole was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle, thus reducing Bafana Bafana to ten men. Mexico made their numerical advantage count almost immediately.
In the 67th minute, Roberto Alvarado delivered a precise cross into the penalty area and Raúl Jiménez headed home to double Mexico’s lead. Jiménez had been a constant threat throughout, testing Williams on multiple occasions before finally finding the net.
Things got messy toward the end. South Africa were down to nine men in the 84th minute after substitute Themba Zwane was sent off following a VAR check. The hosts weren’t the only ones in trouble though. Right in stoppage time, Mexico defender César Montes saw straight red, leaving his team to finish with ten men before the whistle blew.
Despite the late dismissal, Mexico comfortably held on for all three points.
The result is a significant blow to South Africa, who had already navigated an extraordinary route to the tournament, only to face the prospect of qualifying from a group containing Mexico, England and Croatia with nine-man performances behind them.
Mexico, playing on home soil and backed by one of the tournament’s loudest crowds, could not have asked for a more comfortable opening night.
