Mexico Beat South Africa 2-0 to Open the World Cup on a Night of Three Red Cards

M exico got the 2026 World Cup up and running with a deserved 2-0 win over South Africa at a roaring Estadio Azteca, on a night that will be remembered as much for three red cards as for the goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez.

Quiñones sets the tone

The co-hosts started on the front foot in front of around 87,000 fans and led inside ten minutes. Julián Quiñones, wearing number 16, finished off a flowing move in the 9th minute to settle the early nerves and send the Azteca into raptures. Mexico controlled the opening half, piling up the shots while South Africa struggled to get out of their own half.

Jiménez doubles it as the cards appear

South Africa's afternoon got harder after the break. They were reduced to ten men in the 49th minute when Sphephelo Sithole was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity just outside the box. Mexico made the extra man count when Raúl Jiménez rose to head home a cross in the 67th minute for 2-0. The pressure told again on 83 minutes, when substitute Themba Zwane was dismissed after a VAR review for a strike to the face in an off-the-ball tussle, leaving South Africa with nine.

A chaotic finish

There was a late twist for the hosts too. Deep in second-half stoppage time, Mexico captain César Montes was shown red, so the opener finished ten against nine. Three dismissals in all, plus yellow cards for Teboho Mokoena, Bryan Gutiérrez and Nkosinathi Sibisi, made for a fractious, physical contest beneath the celebration.

A deserved start for the hosts

For all the drama, the result was rarely in doubt. Mexico were the better side from the first whistle, took their chances and saw the game out comfortably despite finishing a man down. It is the perfect start for Javier Aguirre's team and exactly the lift the host nation wanted as the 2026 World Cup begins. South Africa, back at a World Cup for the first time since they hosted in 2010, will rue their discipline and look to regroup in their next group game.

Reporting: based on our live coverage from Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, June 11, 2026.