Mexico broke their long-standing World Cup opening-game hoodoo in the most emphatic fashion possible two goals, three red cards, a 35-year-old striker making history, and more than 80,000 screaming fans at the Azteca to witness it all. The co-hosts defeated South Africa 2–0 on Thursday in Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, opening the tournament in Mexico City with exactly the kind of noisy, chaotic, emotionally charged game the occasion demanded.
Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez were the scorers. The result gives Mexico the perfect platform ahead of their second group game against South Korea on June 18.
First Half – Quiñones Fires the Azteca Into Delirium
Javier Aguirre’s side took less than five minutes to create the game’s first chance amid an electric atmosphere at Mexico City Stadium. Israel Reyes whipped a cross in from the right, and Raúl Jiménez got power behind the bouncing ball, forcing Ronwen Williams to tip it around his post smartly.
The deadlock didn’t last long. In the ninth minute, Sithole’s pocket was picked on the edge of his own box, allowing Quiñones to fire home the first goal of the World Cup and send the Azteca into delirium.
The goal for Quiñones who was the top scorer in the Saudi league this season was the earliest to start a World Cup since Philipp Lahm netted for Germany against Costa Rica after six minutes in 2006.
South Africa would have been relieved to go in at half-time at a one-goal deficit, their captain having produced a superb save to deny a Jiménez header, while the post denied Quiñones a second goal.
Second Half – Red Cards and Jiménez Makes History
Shortly into the second half, South Africa nearly gave away a second goal while playing out from the back, but Alberto Fidalgo failed to take his chance in the box.
The real turning point came in the 50th minute. South Africa midfielder Sphephelo “Yaya” Sithole was shown a straight red card after taking down Brian Gutiérrez on the edge of the box when through on goal. Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio wasted no time in producing his card.
The Mexican fans including boxing megastar Canelo Álvarez in the stands erupted as 17-year-old Gilberto Mora was sent on as substitute, and within 60 seconds they were celebrating a second goal. Quiñones played a slick one-two with Jiménez and fed Roberto Alvarado, whose devilish delivery was nodded home at the back post by the Mexico number nine.
At 35 years and 37 days, Jiménez is now the oldest player to score on his first FIFA World Cup start a personal landmark made all the sweeter for a striker who has spent much of his career waiting for this moment.
The contest concluded with two further red cards. South Africa substitute Themba Zwane was dismissed for unsporting behaviour after a hand on the face of Alvarado, and Mexico centre-back César Montes received a straight red card in stoppage time for a deliberate foul. Three red cards in a single match one more than the total goals scored is not a routine World Cup opener. With three dismissals, this tournament is already just one short of equalling the four red cards from across Qatar 2022.
What the Result Means – and the Problem for Aguirre
Mexico lead Group A with three points. South Africa will be without two players in their next match, and Mexico will be without key centre-back César Montes for the game against South Korea.
Head coach Javier Aguirre described it as a “perfect day” for Jiménez but acknowledged that the squad would immediately face an adjustment test with Montes unavailable. Edson Álvarez who came on as a late substitute could be an option, though the defensive midfielder is still building minutes following his return from injury.
The match carried added significance beyond the tournament opener: it came exactly 16 years after Mexico and South Africa met in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, which ended 1–1. This time, with home support and a tournament to launch, Mexico made no mistake.
For Group A’s full schedule and standings, including Mexico vs South Korea on June 18 and South Africa vs Czech Republic on June 19, FIFA’s official World Cup hub has all the fixtures and results updated live.
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The tournament is one game old and already has a history-maker, a 35-year-old who finally got his World Cup moment, a 17-year-old who turned a half into bedlam, and more red cards than goals. If this is the tone the 2026 World Cup is setting, the next few weeks will be anything but dull.
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