WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP A · MATCH RECAP · JUNE 11
Three red cards and two goals lit up Mexico City as El Tri claimed their first-ever opening match victory at a World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup got underway with exactly the kind of chaos the tournament demands. Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday night – but the scoreline doesn’t come close to capturing what unfolded across 90 extraordinary minutes in Mexico City.
Julian Quinones broke the deadlock in the ninth minute, capitalising on a catastrophic South African defensive error to slot home and send 87,000 fans into delirium. It was the perfect start for El Tri, who had waited decades for a moment like this.
“This stadium has waited 36 years for this. Tonight, we gave it back to them.”
What followed was a red card spectacle. South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole was dismissed for a reckless challenge before the hour mark, then Themba Zwane followed him down the tunnel for a second yellow. Mexico, pressing for a killer second, lost their own man – Cesar Montes – to a straight red. Both teams finished with ten.
The second goal came from a player who had long deserved this stage. Raul Jimenez, in his third World Cup, scored his 46th international goal to equal Jared Borgetti as Mexico’s second-highest scorer in history. He threw his arms wide and let the Azteca roar wash over him.
For South Africa, who now face their next match missing two key players through suspension, the tournament has started in the worst possible way. But for Mexico – who had never won a World Cup opener in seven previous attempts – Thursday night at the Azteca was one for the history books.
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