Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the first match of the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup has finally begun. In a packed Estadio Azteca, Mexico, which finished with 10 players on the field, defeated South Africa, which ended with 9, with a score of 2-0 in the tournament's opening match, corresponding to Matchday 1 of Group A.

After a shower of paper hats to welcome the home team, the first match of the World Cup would start with the Mexicans dominating possession. In the 4th minute, Raúl Giménez would shoot from the edge of the area, but Ronwen Williams denied the goal with a great save.

Although they narrowly escaped at the beginning, to the misfortune of the Bafana Bafana, they would soon commit a childish error in defense that would cost them dearly. Williams would clear the ball after an attack from the Mexican team and pass it to Sphephelo Sithole, who mishandled it and gifted it to Érik Lira, who quickly assisted Julián Quiñones to score the 1-0 between the legs of the South African goalkeeper.

After taking the lead on the scoreboard, the team led by Javier Aguirre continued to be the protagonist of the match; however, they lacked precision in attack. Beyond this, towards the end of the first half, the Tri would come close to doubling their lead twice. First, Williams would deflect a dangerous shot from Giménez in the area with a strong hand, although it would be ruled out for offside, and immediately after, Quiñones would hit the right post after a good combination of passes near the goal.

In the second half, the home team would start strong in search of another goal. This intensity would lead to a dangerous play in the 49th minute led by Roberto Alvarado, but he would be brought down at the edge of the area by Sithole as the last man, who would thus receive a direct red card. Despite having a promising free kick, the subsequent play would come to nothing.

After a long stretch without notable actions, the home team would finally reach the coveted 2-0. In the 67th minute, Quiñonez would pass to Roberto Alvarado, who would cross for Giménez to head it into the back of the net.

Clearly at a disadvantage, the worst thing that could happen to South Africa was to lose another player, which indeed happened in the 82nd minute, when the substitute Themba Zwane struck "Piojo" Alvarado in the face after a collision and would be sent off after a VAR review.

Although the Mexican team would also suffer an expulsion (a kick from César Montes in the right corner of the area to Khuliso Mudau who was on the counter), the match would not yield any more.

After this victory, Mexico will face South Korea for Matchday 2 of Group A next Thursday, June 18, at the AKRON Stadium in Guadalajara. Meanwhile, South Africa will look to recover from the initial blow against Czech Republic on the same day at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.