MEXICO CITY — Mexico finally celebrated a World Cup opening-match victory on home soil Friday, defeating South Africa 2-0 at a packed Estadio Azteca in a physical and dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 opener that featured three red cards.
After going winless in their previous seven World Cup opening matches — either as sole hosts or co-hosts — El Tri delivered a performance worthy of the occasion in front of a passionate home crowd, with goals from Julián Quiñones and veteran striker Raúl Jiménez securing the historic victory.
Mexico seized control early and never looked back.
The breakthrough came in the ninth minute when South African midfielder Sphephelo Sithole was dispossessed near the edge of his own penalty area by Erik Lira. The loose ball fell kindly to Quiñones, who calmly fired a low shot through the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to give Mexico a dream start and send the Azteca crowd into celebration.
The hosts continued to press for a second goal throughout the first half. Quiñones nearly doubled his tally in the 38th minute when he struck the base of the post after being set up by Brian Gutiérrez.
South Africa's afternoon became even more difficult shortly after halftime. Sithole, already responsible for the turnover that led to Mexico's opening goal, was shown a straight red card after bringing down Gutiérrez just outside the penalty area as the Mexican midfielder threatened to break through on goal.
Playing with a man advantage, Mexico patiently searched for an insurance goal and found it midway through the second half. Roberto Alvarado delivered a floated cross to the far post, where Jiménez rose above the defense and powered a close-range header into the net to make it 2-0.
The goal effectively ended any hopes of a South African comeback and allowed Mexico to begin its World Cup campaign with confidence.
Tempers flared late as frustrations mounted for South Africa. Substitute Themba Zwane was sent off after a VAR review determined he had struck Alvarado in the face during an off-the-ball altercation, reducing the visitors to nine men.
Mexico's otherwise perfect afternoon was slightly tarnished in stoppage time when defender César Montes received a red card for a challenge on Khuliso Mudau. Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio's decision marked the third dismissal of the match and capped a chaotic finish.
Despite the late setback, Mexico achieved its primary objective: a winning start to the tournament. The victory gives the co-host nation three points and early momentum as it looks to advance from the group stage and capitalize on the energy generated by playing in front of its home supporters.
For South Africa, the defeat leaves little margin for error heading into its remaining group matches after a frustrating opener defined by costly mistakes and disciplinary issues.
On a day filled with anticipation and national pride, Mexico finally erased a long-standing World Cup frustration, opening the 2026 tournament with a victory that Estadio Azteca will remember for years to come.