Mexico outclassed South Africa in the FIFA World Cup 2026 opener at the Mexico City Stadium by 2-0 in a game that was marred by second-half red cards. Two South African players - Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off before Mexico captain Cesar Montes was sent down the tunnel at the Estadio Azteca.
El Tri dominated the game with two goals and a far superior game than the Bafana Bafana. Julian Quinones scored the first goal of the tournament after pouncing on a big error from South African goalkeeper Williams in the ninth minute. The co-hosts kept their dominance intact in the remainder of the half, creating several opportunities. They bossed the possession and also took six shots in the first half, while the Bafana Bafana were a distant second.
Red cards mar the second half as Mexico double the lead
The second half was marred by frequent red cards as Sithole was the first one to be sent off after his foul on Brian Gutierrez in his team's half when he denied the midfielder with an opportunity to score, after tangling him down. The moment was a big one in the match as it left South Africa down with 10 men and a goal down.
Things went further south for the Bafana Bafana when Raul Jimenez scored his first goal of the World Cup. Quinones set things up as he found Alvarado on the right, who then sent it to Jimenez into the box as the Wolverhampton Wanderers hit it past Williams to take his team 2-0 up in the 67th minute.
Zwane sent off in another huge moment
It turned into a nightmare for Hugo Broos' men when Zwane was sent down the tunnel after a VAR check for a possible red card. He had swiped out and hit Roberto Alvarado in the face. Alvarado blocked Zwane from running around him. Zwane tried moving Alvarado out of the way with his hand and made contact with the face of the Mexican. Later, Mexican captain Cesar Montes was sent off for his challenge on Khuliso Mudau, who was running with the ball near the box of the Mexican goal. Montes brought him down, thinking he made a fair challenge, but it was deemed not to be fair, as the referee sent him off for the third red card of the day. But Mexico would be delighted to start off with a 2-0 win and ignite their World Cup dreams.
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