Sports
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.”
We didn’t play well in the first half, Javier Aguirre said, adding that they could have gone into the break leading 3–0 and no one would have complained — we were far superior. “In the second half, it felt like we relaxed a bit, but starting with a win is good, and we can certainly improve,” he said.
South Africa players Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were both given red cards, forcing the team to finish the match with only nine players. Mexico defender César Montes was then given a red card in injury time.
It was the first time there were three red cards given in the opening match of a World Cup tournament. And it’s the most in a World Cup game since four were handed out when Portugal played the Netherlands at the 2006 tournament in Germany.