Image: from Fabrizio Romano X @FabrizioRomano
By Open Chronicle with agencies
The 2026 FIFA World Cup got underway in front of a packed Estadio Azteca on Thursday night, with co-host nation Mexico securing a confident 2-0 victory over South Africa in the opening match of the tournament.
The Group A encounter saw the home side make an early statement as Julián Quiñones opened the scoring after just nine minutes, sending the crowd in Mexico City into celebration and giving El Tri the perfect start to their World Cup campaign.
Mexico maintained control for much of the match, creating several opportunities before former Benfica striker Raúl Jiménez doubled the advantage in the 67th minute. His composed finish effectively sealed the result and ensured the tournament hosts began with three valuable points.
South Africa’s hopes of mounting a comeback suffered a major setback early in the second half when midfielder Yaya Sithole, who plays for Portuguese club Tondela, was shown a red card in the 49th minute. The visitors’ frustrations grew as captain Themba Zwane was also sent off in the 84th minute, leaving Bafana Bafana to finish the match with only nine players.
Mexico also ended the game with a reduced squad after defender César Montes received a red card deep into stoppage time, but the dismissal had little impact on the final outcome.
With the victory, Mexico temporarily moves to the top of Group A, ahead of the other opening-round fixture between the Czech Republic and South Korea.
The win provides an ideal beginning for the co-host nation, which is aiming to make a deep run in a tournament being staged across Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Playing in the iconic Estadio Azteca, a venue steeped in World Cup history, the Mexican squad delivered a disciplined and energetic performance that will give supporters optimism for the matches ahead.
For South Africa, the defeat means an uphill battle to keep their qualification hopes alive. The two red cards and the inability to capitalize on possession spells proved costly, and the team will now turn its attention to recovering quickly before its next Group A fixture.
As the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup begins, Mexico has delivered the first victory of the tournament and provided its home fans with a memorable opening night.