Mexico kicked off the 2026 FIFA World Cup in style with a 2-0 victory over South Africa, but the opening match will be remembered just as much for the chaos that saw three players sent off in a dramatic encounter at the packed Estadio Azteca.
The tournament began with a colourful opening ceremony featuring Colombian superstar Shakira and hundreds of performers, setting the stage for the first match of the expanded 48-team competition.
Backed by more than 80,000 passionate fans in Mexico City, the hosts made a dream start when Julian Quiñones fired home in the ninth minute after capitalizing on a mistake by South Africa’s midfield. The goal sent the home crowd into celebration and gave Mexico early control of the game.
Quiñones nearly doubled the lead before halftime, but his effort struck the post, allowing South Africa to head into the break trailing by only one goal.
The match took a dramatic turn five minutes into the second half when South Africa’s Yaya Sithole became the first player to be sent off at the 2026 World Cup. The midfielder was shown a red card after bringing down Brian Gutierrez when he was through on goal.
With South Africa reduced to 10 men, Mexico pressed for another goal and eventually got it in the 67th minute. Veteran striker Raul Jimenez headed home Roberto Alvarado’s cross to score his first-ever World Cup goal.
The moment carried special significance for the 35-year-old forward, who suffered a life-threatening skull fracture while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020. Overcome with emotion, Jimenez appeared close to tears as teammates surrounded him in celebration.
South Africa’s frustrations worsened late in the game when substitute Themba Zwane was sent off for slapping Roberto Alvarado, leaving Bafana Bafana with nine men.
But the drama was not over. Deep into stoppage time, Mexico defender Cesar Montes was also shown a red card after committing a foul, reducing the hosts to 10 players.
The three dismissals made history, marking the first time an opening match at the FIFA World Cup had produced three red cards. In comparison, only four red cards were shown during the entire 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Mexico’s victory also ended another unwanted record. Despite hosting the tournament twice before, in 1970 and 1986, El Tri had never won a World Cup opening game. The win over South Africa finally changed that statistic.
The defeat was a disappointing return to the World Cup stage for South Africa, who are playing in the finals for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010.
Meanwhile, Mexico introduced 17-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora in the second half, making him one of the youngest players at the tournament.
With three points secured, Mexico have made the perfect start to their campaign and boosted hopes of making a deep run in front of their home supporters.
