Raul Jimenez was on target as Mexico opened up the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 victory against South Africa.
It was a very physical game which saw three red cards being shown by the referee before the game came to a conclusion.
From the opening whistle, Mexico set a relentless tempo. Operating in a structured 4-1-4-1 formation, the home side pressed South Africa’s compact 5-3-2 defensive line, forcing errors in the midfield.
The breakthrough arrived in the 9th minute after a defensive lapse from the South African backline, Julián Quiñones pounced on the opportunity.
He fired a clinical low shot through the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, while etching his name in history as the first goalscorer of the 2026 tournament.
Throughout the first half, Mexico continued to dictate play. While South Africa looked to counter-attack, they struggled to find rhythm against a disciplined Mexican defense.
The atmosphere at the historic venue which became the first stadium to host matches at three different World Cups remained electric as the home team maintained their composure.
The second half saw the match turn increasingly fractious. South Africa’s discipline began to fray under the pressure of the match and the weight of their deficit.
The situation worsened for the visitors in the 49th minute when Yaya Sithole was shown a straight red card, leaving Bafana Bafana to battle for the remainder of the match with ten men.
Mexico capitalized on the numerical advantage in the 67th minute. Following a swift, flowing counter-attacking move, veteran striker Raúl Jiménez found space in the box to calmly finish, effectively putting the game out of reach for South Africa at 2-0.
As the match approached its conclusion, frustration boiled over for the South African side. Themba Zwane was sent off in the 83rd minute, reducing the team to nine players.
Mexico’s own disciplinary record wasn’t untarnished. In a frantic final minute of stoppage time, César Montes also received a red card.
Despite the late defensive loss, the result was never in serious doubt as the co-host nation claimed all three points from a 2-0 victory against South Africa.
This opening victory provides Mexico with a perfect start to their campaign, placing them at the top of Group A.
Beyond the three points, the match was a testament to the tactical discipline installed by the coaching staff.
For South Africa, the match served as a harsh introduction to the tournament, leaving them with significant work to do ahead of their upcoming group fixtures against Czechia and South Korea.
The evening was also marked by a historic milestone, with Mexican youngster Gilberto Mora becoming the first player born after the 2006 FIFA World Cup final to appear in a senior World Cup match, signaling a new generation of talent on the global stage.
As the tournament shifts its focus to the remaining Group A games and the rest of the expanded 48-team field, Mexico has undoubtedly set a benchmark for the competition to come.
The victory reinforces their status as a major contender, buoyed by the passionate support of a nation dreaming of a deep tournament run on home soil.
It’s all about advantage Mexico after the three points against South Africa who have to shift their focus on the upcoming games for the tournament.
