Mexico Wins Over South Africa 2-0 In World Cup Opener

Mexico City: In a World Cup opener that saw three red cards, a dominant Mexico, also the co-hosts of the tournament, registered a 2-0 win over a nine-man South Africa, sending the packed audience into jubilation at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City early Friday (Thursday local time).

Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored the goals for Mexico, which is co-hosting the 2026 tournament with Canada and the United States. In front of a capacity crowd of 80,824, Mexico got to work fast and took the lead in the ninth minute when Quiñones scored. Jiménez added the second goal on a header in the 66th — his 46th for Mexico, but first in three World Cup tournaments.

With his goal, Jiménez moved into a tie with Jared Borgetti for second place in scoring for Mexico’s national team. He is six goals shy of leader Javier “Chicharito” Hernández.

“I made an effort to explain to them what a World Cup and an opening match on home soil meant, but they are young and had to experience it for themselves,” said Mexico coach Javier Aguirre, who played for his team the last time Mexico hosted the tournament in 1986. “I can no longer talk about having played in a home World Cup, because they already know what it’s like.”