MEXICO CITY, MEXICO / EuroWire / – Mexico opened the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 2-0 win over South Africa on Thursday, giving the co-hosts a strong start in Group A at Estadio Azteca. Julián Quiñones scored the first goal in the ninth minute. Raúl Jiménez added the second in the 67th minute. The result gave Mexico three points in the tournament opener.
Mexico took control early after South Africa lost the ball near its own goal. Quiñones reacted first and drove a low finish past the goalkeeper. The goal lifted the home crowd and gave Mexico a clear platform. South Africa, known as Bafana Bafana, tried to respond through quick breaks, but Mexico kept the match compact and limited clean chances before halftime.
The game changed again after the interval when South Africa went down to 10 men. Sphephelo Sithole received a red card in the 50th minute after a foul on Brian Gutiérrez. Mexico used the extra space and pushed forward with more control. Jiménez then scored with a header in the 67th minute to double the lead for the home side.
Red cards shape opening match
South Africa finished the FIFA World Cup 2026 opener with nine players after Themba Zwane received a red card in the 84th minute. The decision followed a video review. Mexico also ended with 10 players after César Montes received a red card in stoppage time. The three dismissals added a major disciplinary theme to the first match of the tournament.
The match still ended with Mexico in command of the scoreline. Goalkeeper and defensive errors hurt South Africa at key moments. Mexico converted the chances that mattered and protected the lead through the closing stages. Bafana Bafana faced long spells without the ball after the first red card and could not find a route back into the match.
Mexico claim early Group A points
The victory gave Mexico a winning start on home soil in a World Cup staged across Mexico, the United States and Canada. FIFA opened the expanded 48-team event in Mexico City, where the tournament began before a packed crowd. The match carried major attention because Mexico hosted the first game and faced a South African side returning to the global stage.
For Mexico, the result centered on two scorers and a clean sheet. Quiñones delivered the tournament’s first goal, while Jiménez added a second-half finish that secured the margin. For South Africa, the defeat brought a difficult start marked by two red cards and missed attacking rhythm. The 2-0 score put Mexico on top of its opening assignment in Group A.