Mexico 2-0 South Africa: Quiñones and Jiménez open the World Cup as Azteca makes history

Mexico got the 2026 World Cup up and running with a 2-0 win over South Africa in front of 80,824 fans at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The opening game of the tournament had everything: two clinical Mexican goals, three red cards, and a slice of history as the Azteca became the first stadium to stage three World Cup opening matches, after 1970 and 1986.

An early lead through Quiñones

The hosts did not keep the home crowd waiting. Julián Quiñones put Mexico ahead in the 9th minute, settling the nerves and giving El Tri the early control they craved on the grandest of nights.

Jiménez doubles it from the air

The second goal arrived in the 67th minute and was a thing of timing and precision. Roberto Alvarado swung in a cross from the right, and Raúl Jiménez met it at the far post to head Mexico into a commanding 2-0 lead.

A game of three red cards

The scoreline only tells part of the story of a chaotic evening overseen by Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio. South Africa were reduced to ten men in the 49th minute when Sphephelo Sithole was dismissed for hauling down Brian Gutiérrez as the Mexican broke clear, denying a clear goalscoring chance. South Africa's night got harder still when Themba Zwane was sent off following a VAR review for striking Mexico forward Roberto Alvarado in the face, leaving Bafana Bafana down to nine. Mexico were not spared either: César Montes was shown red deep in stoppage time, in the 90+2nd minute, for denying a goalscoring opportunity of his own. It was the first time three red cards had been shown in a World Cup opening match.

The night had begun in style, too, with an opening ceremony featuring Shakira, J Balvin and Alejandro Fernández, before a match that the 80,824 inside the Azteca will not soon forget.

What it means for Group A

Mexico could hardly have asked for a better start to their home tournament: three points, a clean sheet, and a result delivered against ten and then nine opponents for much of the second half. The win lifts the co-hosts to the top end of Group A and sets a confident tone for the rest of their group campaign. South Africa, back at a World Cup for the first time since hosting in 2010, must regroup quickly after a bruising opener that leaves them with ground to make up. Revisit the game on the match page or see the full schedule at matches.