The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway — and it opened with one of the most chaotic, history-making matches in tournament memory. Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 at a roaring Estadio Azteca on Thursday, June 11, in a Group A clash that saw three red cards, multiple ejections, and the end of a long-running curse for the co-hosts.
Goals from Julián Quiñones in the 9th minute and veteran striker Raúl Jiménez in the 67th sealed El Tri's first opening-match victory in three World Cups. But it was the cards — not the goals — that defined this opener. Mexico played the last few minutes with 10 men. South Africa finished with 9. The referee made history.
A Rematch 16 Years in the Making
This wasn't the first time these two teams opened a World Cup. In 2010, Mexico and South Africa drew 1-1 in the tournament's curtain-raiser when the Bafana Bafana hosted in Johannesburg. Sixteen years later, both managers had reasons to remember that match — none more than Mexico boss Javier Aguirre, who was in charge of El Tri in 2010 as well. Now in his third stint as Mexico's coach, Aguirre walked into the Azteca with a familiar opponent and an unfamiliar pressure: end Mexico's pattern of stumbling in opening matches.
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The pre-match opening ceremony saw performances from Shakira, Burna Boy, J Balvin, Alejandro Fernández, and Andrea Bocelli — a celebration of the host trio's cultural diversity. By kickoff, the Azteca was electric. The first chance came inside five minutes through Raúl Jiménez. The breakthrough came four minutes later.
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Quiñones Breaks the Deadlock Early
The opening goal came from an unlikely source — at least in the eyes of some Mexico fans. Julián Quiñones, a Colombian-born winger who became eligible for Mexico via naturalization and made his El Tri debut in 2023, opened his World Cup account with composure. South Africa cheaply conceded possession in their own defensive third, and Quiñones pounced from close range. 9th minute. 1-0 Mexico.
The Azteca erupted. The criticism Quiñones once faced for being "not Mexican enough" felt distant. He nearly added a second in the 42nd minute, rattling the post with a powerful strike, and continued to torment the South African back line before halftime.
At the break, Mexico led 1-0 with 55% possession. South Africa had committed five fouls but matched Mexico in yellow cards — Brian Gutiérrez and Teboho Mokoena both booked in the first half. The match felt like Mexico's to lose. The second half ensured it was.
Sithole's Red Changes Everything
In the 49th minute, South African midfielder Sphephelo Sithole pulled back Brian Gutiérrez as the Mexican attacker broke clear on goal after a lobbed pass through the defense. The referee didn't hesitate. Red card. Down to 10.
It was the moment South Africa's afternoon went from uphill to nearly unwinnable. Sithole would also miss South Africa's next match — a tough blow for a Bafana Bafana side that needed all hands for their second group fixture.
Mexico didn't capitalize from the resulting free-kick, but they didn't need to wait long. In the 67th minute, Raúl Jiménez found himself unmarked at the back post for a free header off a Rodrigo Álvarado delivery. The 35-year-old striker — now in what may be his final World Cup — buried it. 2-0 Mexico.
"A perfect day for him," Aguirre would later say of Jiménez, who had waited years for his defining World Cup moment.
Key Match Stats
Stat | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
|---|---|---|
Goals | 2 | 0 |
Possession (1st half) | 55% | 45% |
Yellow cards | 1 | 2 |
Red cards | 1 (Montes 90+2') | 2 (Sithole 49', Zwane 84') |
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Three Reds — A Rare Slice of World Cup History
What made this match truly historic wasn't the goals — it was the cards. Mexico vs South Africa joined a very short list of World Cup opening matches to feature three red cards in a single game. The last time three players were sent off in a World Cup opening match? South Africa vs Denmark in 1998, where Bafana Bafana also had one to the Danes' two.
The cards in this match came in waves:
49' — Sithole (RSA): Denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity
84' — Zwane (RSA): Unsporting behavior
90+2' — Montes (MEX): Denial of a goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) as Mudau raced clear in stoppage time
The Montes red came at the end of a chaotic counter-attack — South African players had four on three as Mudau raced toward the box. César Montes clipped him just outside the penalty area, and the referee quickly produced what would be the third red of the night. By full-time, Mexico had 10 men. South Africa had 9. The Azteca's electric atmosphere had given way to disbelief on both benches.
Standout Performers
Julián Quiñones (Mexico) — Goal, assist on the second goal, hit the post, and constantly tormented the South African defense. The Colombian-born forward silenced his critics and may have just claimed a starting spot for the rest of the tournament. Easily player of the match.
Raúl Jiménez (Mexico) — His emotional 67th-minute goal — likely the goal of a career — gave Mexico their cushion. At 35, this could be his last World Cup. He looked determined to make every minute count.
Javier Aguirre (Mexico, manager) — Tactically sharp, kept his composure as the cards mounted, and finally got the opening-match win that had eluded Mexico for two tournaments. His third stint as El Tri manager is off to a perfect start.
Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa) — Not for good reasons. His 49th-minute red card effectively decided the match. He'll also miss South Africa's next fixture.
Group A Standings After Day 1
Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🇲🇽 Mexico | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
🇿🇦 South Africa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
🇰🇷 Korea Republic | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
🇨🇿 Czechia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
South Korea completed a comeback win over Czechia 2-1 later in the day — Oh Hyeon-gyu's 80th-minute goal sealed three points after Hwang In-beom equalised Krejčí's opener. Day 1 ends with Mexico and South Korea level on 3 points, South Africa and Czechia on 0. For Mexico, three points and a clean sheet on home soil is exactly the start they wanted. For South Africa, they leave the Azteca with no points, two suspensions, and an uphill climb against Czechia next.
What's Next
Mexico travel north to Guadalajara to face Korea Republic on June 18 at Estadio Akron. With three points already banked and South Korea's quality, this becomes a potential group-decider.
South Africa face Czechia on June 18 — also a must-win after this defeat. They'll do so without Sithole and Zwane.
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Featured photo: Estadio Azteca, June 2026 — ProtoplasmaKid via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0
This is the first in our daily World Cup 2026 match recap series. Check back tomorrow for the Day 2 coverage of Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina and USA vs Paraguay.