Mexico 2-0 South Africa: El Tri Make Perfect Start To 2026 FIFA World Cup

Mexico 2-0 South Africa - Raul Jimenez with an emotional goal on home soil

Mexico swept aside South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in a repeat of the tournament’s curtain-raiser from 2010.

Julian Quinones’ clinical finish opened the scoring in the first ten minutes in front of a sold-out Stadium Azteca crowd, with more than 80,000 Mexicans in attendance.

Sphephelo Sithole’s second-half red card made the job even tougher for the visitors, who offered little throughout the contest in their first World Cup appearance since hosting the tournament in 2010.

Raul Jimenez’s header midway through the second half made it comfortable for the co-hosts, who dominated the contest from start to finish.

Both sides received straight red cards in the final ten minutes, with Zwane seeing red for violent conduct for South Africa before Montes was sent off for a reckless last-ditch challenge in additional time for the hosts.

MEXICO COMFORTABLY DISPATCH SOUTH AFRICA IN FIERY TOURNAMENT OPENER

Both sides knew the importance of a bright start to the tournament, and it was the hosts who came out firing, with a fierce Raul Jimenez strike drawing an excellent diving save from South Africa captain Ronwen Williams within just five minutes.

The breakthrough soon came in the ninth minute as a loose touch in the South African defence allowed Julian Quinones to pounce and fire low to open the scoring in the 23rd FIFA World Cup and send the home crowd into raptures.

Quinones’ blasted finish continued a season in which he outscored Cristiano Ronaldo on the way to claiming the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot with 33 goals for Al-Qadsiah.

Mexico continued to press and controlled much of the first half without creating too many clear-cut chances.

South Africa struggled to gain any momentum with the ball, and their lack of intent would have disappointed manager Hugo Broos, who became the oldest manager ever to coach at a World Cup at the age of 74.

Quinones nearly doubled his tally as his first-time effort cannoned back off the post. Mexico remained firmly in control and were unlucky to be leading by just one goal as the half-time whistle blew.

Mexico have not lost their opening game at a World Cup since 1994 and looked certain to continue that record just minutes into the second half as South African midfielder Sphephelo Sithole dragged down the advancing Gutierrez and was subsequently sent off, giving Bafana Bafana a mountain to climb.

The resulting free-kick was fired into the wall by Raul Jimenez, who was looking to become Mexico’s second all-time leading scorer just days after re-signing for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The veteran striker eventually got his deserved goal at the end of an excellent El Tri move, nodding home from close range after a superb delivery from Roberto Alvarado.

The 35-year-old had tears in his eyes as he wheeled away in celebration, scoring his first-ever World Cup goal at his fourth tournament with Mexico.

Jimenez was substituted soon after as Mexico rang the changes, with Fenerbahce midfielder Edson Alvarez coming on for his 100th appearance for the national team.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as substitute Themba Zwane was given his marching orders for a swipe into the face of Alvarado, leaving South Africa with just nine men and a little over ten minutes to play.

Mexico captain Cesar Montes soon joined him, receiving a straight red card in additional time for a late challenge on the edge of the box, leaving the game to finish 10 against 9.

Mexico comfortably saw out the final few minutes to record an opening-game victory in front of a boisterous home crowd, putting themselves in a commanding position in Group A.

Man of the Match

Julian Quinones – The Colombian-born attacker fired home an excellent finish to open the scoring and set Mexico on their way to an assertive victory.

The Saudi Pro League Golden Boot winner was unlucky not to double his tally just before half-time when a side-footed finish struck the post, but he remained a constant threat to a vulnerable South African backline as he scored just his second international goal.

What’s Next

Mexico’s perfect start sets up a crucial meeting with South Korea next Friday, with another victory guaranteeing progression to the knockout stages for the eighth time in their last nine World Cup campaigns.

South Africa head into a crunch tie against the Czech Republic on Thursday needing a result as they aim to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

Mexico – (4-1-4-1) Rangel, Reyes, Montes (C), Vasquez, Gallardo, Lira (Alvarez, 76), Fidalgo (Mora, 66), Gutierrez (Chaves, 66), Quinones (Vega, 79), Alvarado, Jimenez (Gonzalez, 76)

South Africa – (5-3-2) Williams (C), Mudau, Mbokazi, Sibisi, Okon, Modiba (Appollis, 77), Mokoena, Sithole, Adams (Zwane, 61), Foster (Mbatha, 57), Rayners (Makgopa, 77)

Referee – William Sampaio (Brazil)