Mexico launched their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on a winning note, defeating South Africa 2-0 in the tournament’s opening match at the iconic Azteca Stadium.
Backed by a passionate home crowd, the hosts produced a dominant performance from start to finish, controlling possession, creating the clearer scoring opportunities and taking full advantage of South Africa’s disciplinary setbacks to secure all three points.
Mexico wasted little time asserting their authority and opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Julián Quiñones.
The forward capitalised on a costly defensive mistake by South Africa, intercepting a loose pass before driving into the penalty area and calmly slotting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs.
The early goal lifted the confidence of the Mexican side, who continued to dictate the pace of the game while limiting their opponents’ attacking opportunities.
South Africa’s task became even more difficult shortly after the restart when they were reduced to 10 men in the 49th minute.
Sithole was shown a straight red card after bringing down Gutiérrez as he advanced on goal, denying the Mexican midfielder a clear scoring opportunity.
With a numerical advantage, Mexico increased the pressure and eventually doubled their lead in the 67th minute.
Veteran striker Raúl Jiménez rose highest in the box to power a header beyond the goalkeeper, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters and effectively putting the contest beyond reach.
The visitors’ frustrations deepened in the 83rd minute when captain Themba Zwane received a red card for making forceful contact with the face of Roberto Alvarado.
The dismissal reduced South Africa to nine men and extinguished any realistic hopes of mounting a late comeback.
Mexico’s night was not entirely without blemish, however. Deep into stoppage time, César Montes was sent off after fouling Khuliso Mudau on the edge of the penalty area and denying the South African defender a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The dismissal made it the third red card of a heated encounter, although it had little impact on the final outcome as Mexico comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.
The victory temporarily sends Mexico to the top of Group A, with their superior goal difference placing them ahead of the other teams before the remaining group fixtures are played.
For South Africa, the defeat leaves them rooted to the bottom of the standings with no points from their opening match.
They will now need a positive result in their next outing to keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage alive.
Mexico, meanwhile, will take confidence from a composed and clinical display as they continue their quest for a successful World Cup campaign on home soil.
