Jimenez and Quinones hit as Mexico beat South Africa in World Cup opener | World Cup 2026 news

World Cup 2026 Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 victory against South Africa, who were reduced to nine men.

Mexico started their World Cup party a big 2-0 win More than nine South Africans as the world’s biggest sporting event kicked off at the famous Estadio Azteca.

Julian Quinones scored the opening goal of the tournament in Thursday’s game, and veteran striker Raul Jimenez added a second as the players’ bid to qualify for Group A gets off to a good start.

Meanwhile, South Africa did not look like disrupting the fiesta on the opening day, finishing with just nine men after Spphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off.

Mexico’s red, green and white smoke billowed from fireworks before Quinones fired the hosts ahead on nine minutes, blasting a low ball into the legs of goalkeeper and South African captain Ronwen Williams.

A deafening roar rang out from the stands of the Azteca, the soccer cathedral that became the only stadium to host three World Cup games.

South African team coach Hugo Broos has warned his players to be ready because of the fear of the 80,824 people who came to the concrete stadium.

But South Africa’s players appeared nervous on stage as the Mexican fans greeted every completed pass with chants of “Ole!” in the opening minutes.

Sithole appeared to be the most affected, having been caught by the ball trying to play behind Quinones’ early goal.

Sithole’s miserable evening ended with a 49th-minute dismissal after he collided with Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez as he washed through the goal.

Mexico got their chance in the 67th minute, with a brilliant strike that culminated in Roberto Alvarado crossing Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Jimenez into the far post.

It got worse for South Africa in the 84th minute when Zwane was sent off after a VAR review for throwing an arm into Alvarado’s face.

There was a moment of drama late on when Mexico defender Cesar Montes was shown a red card for a challenge on Khuliso Mudau on the edge of the penalty area.