Mexico breaks World Cup opener curse with 2-0 victory over South Africa
Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez score as South Africa finish match with nine men following three red cards issued by referee Wilton Sampaio.
Co-hosts Mexico commenced the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June 2026. The opening fixture of the first tournament jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada concluded with the home side breaking its historical opener curse, securing a win that sparked celebrations among local fans.
Julian Quinones scored the tournament’s first goal in the ninth minute, providing an early advantage for the hosts. Raul Jimenez doubled the lead in the 67th minute, cementing the result before the final stages of the match. The victory marks a significant administrative milestone for the Mexican federation, which had previously struggled to secure a win in World Cup opening matches.
The match was defined by a historic disciplinary record, with Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio issuing three red cards. South Africa was reduced to ten men in the 49th minute after Sphephelo Sithole’s dismissal. The situation deteriorated further in the 84th minute when Themba Zwane was sent off, leaving the visitors with nine players for the remainder of the game.
Mexico’s own discipline was tested in the final stages, with Cesar Montes receiving a red card. Despite the numerical disadvantage in the closing moments, the Mexican side maintained its defensive structure to preserve the two-goal margin. The incident highlights the intense physical nature of the tournament’s debut match, which has already drawn scrutiny regarding officiating standards.
South Korea and Czechia are scheduled to face each in a Group A match on the same day, following this opening fixture. Both teams aim to secure a win to establish early momentum in a group that has already seen significant disciplinary action. The outcome of the Mexico-South Africa match sets a competitive tone for the remainder of the group stage, with the co-hosts now carrying the weight of local expectation into their next fixture.
