Mexico 2–0 South Africa: The World Cup Begins, and El Tri Deliver

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here. And it arrived with goals, red cards, tears, and 80,000 people in full voice at one of football's most storied cathedrals.

Mexico defeated South Africa 2–0 in the tournament's opening match on Thursday at the Estadio Azteca, a result that was comfortable on the scoreboard but chaotic in execution, with three red cards turning the second half into something close to organised mayhem.

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How It Happened

The opening goal came in the ninth minute. Erik Lira won possession in midfield, and Julián Quiñones pounced, finding space in the South African defence and driving the ball home to score the first goal of the 2026 World Cup. The Estadio Azteca erupted.

Mexico controlled the first half, generating a string of chances. Quiñones struck the post. Brian Gutiérrez, the Chicago-born midfielder, surged forward repeatedly but rushed a clear opportunity wide just before half-time. Mexico went in 1–0 ahead, deserving more.

The second half changed shape quickly. Sphephelo Sithole was shown a red card for pulling back Gutiérrez, who was through on goal, leaving South Africa down to ten men and facing a long 45 minutes. Mexico made it count in the 67th minute when Raúl Jiménez, assisted by Roberto Alvarado, finished to make it 2–0. The veteran striker dropped to his knees on the pitch in tears.

It was Jiménez's first-ever World Cup goal at the age of 35, five years after a fractured skull in 2020 threatened to end his career entirely.

The red cards kept coming. Teboho Zwane received South Africa's second in the 84th minute for unsporting behaviour, reducing Bafana Bafana to nine men. Then, in stoppage time, Mexico's Cesar Montes was sent off for serious foul play, a late moment of indiscipline on a night that otherwise belonged entirely to the hosts.

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By the Numbers

• Final score: Mexico 2–0 South Africa
• Goalscorers: Julián Quiñones (9'), Raúl Jiménez (67')
• Red cards: Sithole (RSA), Zwane (RSA), Montes (MEX)
• Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City - attendance approx. 80,000+
• Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A, Round 1

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The Bigger Picture

This fixture carried history before a ball was kicked. Sixteen years ago, Mexico and South Africa drew 1–1 in Johannesburg to open the 2010 World Cup, the only edition ever held on African soil. South Africa went on to become the first host nation eliminated in the group stage. Mexico advanced to the round of 16.

Thursday's result puts Mexico in a strong position in Group A. South Africa now face the group stage with a depleted squad; Sithole is suspended for their next fixture and could miss a significant portion of the tournament.

For Javier Aguirre, in his third spell as Mexico's head coach, and present on the touchline in 2010 for that original meeting, this was a winning start under the most intense possible pressure. Playing the first match of a home World Cup, before your own people, at the Estadio Azteca, is not a situation many coaches would envy. Aguirre's side delivered.

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What Comes Next

Mexico return to action on 18 June in Guadalajara against South Korea. South Africa face a must-respond moment in their next group fixture.

The 2026 World Cup, 48 teams, 16 host cities across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, 104 matches in total, runs until 19 July, when the final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

It has started. And if the opener is any guide, it will not be short of drama.

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Sources: ESPN, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, CNN Sport - 11 June 2026, (Image credit: Getty Images)