Mexico emerged winner by two (2) goals to zero (0) against South Africa in the FIFA World Cup 2026 opener on Thursday 11 June, 2026 at Mexico City Stadium.
It was a dramatic showdown that had three (3) players shown the red card.
The African side finished with nine (9) players, while, the North American side, co-hosts of the tournament, ended the game with ten (10) men.
Wilton Sampaio, match referee from Brazil, was on a red card spree as he sent off South Africa’s Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane for stopping a goalscoring opportunity and for a slap respectively. He then sent off Cesar Montes of Mexico late for a foul.
Home fans jubilated wildly when Mexico netted the opener very early, in the 9th minute, through Julian Quinones after Erik Lira had provided.
Lira tackled Bafana Bafana midfielder, Sithole, and the ball dropped to Quinones, who launched a powerful strike that past through the legs of goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams.
Sithole was sent off just four (4) minutes into the second half, before his teammate, Zwane, bagged another red card in the 84th minute; and Montes of Mexico sent off in the 2nd minute of additional time.
The El Tricolor found the second through Raul Jimenez, who just returned to his former Club Wolverhampton Wanderers on a new deal after his contract with Premier League side, Fulham, had expired at the end of the 2025/26 seasons.
35-year old striker, Jimenez, found the second for Mexico which sealed the victory in the 67th minute with a header from Roberto Alvarado’s cross.
In the entire FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, only four (4) red cards were recorded, but, three (3) had never been shown in a tournament opening game before.
Next test for Mexico and South Africa
Mexico will face South Korea in their second Group A match on Friday 19 June, 2026 at 02:00 (WAT) at Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, while, South Africa will play against Czechia on Thursday 18 June, 2026 at 17:00 (WAT) at Atlanta Stadium in Atalanta, United States (US).
Photo: Raul Jimenez of Mexico celebrates after scoring the second goal for his country in the FIFA World Cup 2026 opener on Thursday 11 June, 2026 against South Africa. It was his first goal at a World Cup finals | Getty Images
