MEXICO CITY – Hosts Mexico made a winning start to their FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over South Africa at a packed Estadio Azteca on Thursday night, in a match that combined early pressure, disciplinary drama and an emotional goal-scoring moment.
The opening fixture of the tournament had been billed as a celebration of football as the world gathered for the first match of the expanded competition. While the occasion delivered atmosphere and excitement, the contest itself largely belonged to Mexico.
South Africa’s hopes of causing an upset suffered an early setback after a costly defensive error gifted the hosts the lead inside the opening 10 minutes.
Attempting to play out from the back, Bafana Bafana lost possession in a dangerous area when midfielder Sphephelo Sithole was dispossessed near his own penalty area. Mexico quickly capitalised, with Julián Quiñones driving a powerful finish beyond the goalkeeper to hand the hosts an early advantage.
The goal settled Mexican nerves and allowed them to set the tempo, although South Africa remained in the contest heading into the interval.
Any hopes of a second-half comeback were dealt a major blow shortly after the restart when Sithole’s difficult evening took another turn. The midfielder was shown a red card, leaving South Africa with 10 men and an uphill task against a confident Mexican side.
Veteran striker Raúl Jiménez doubled the lead when he timed his run perfectly to meet a cross at the far post, guiding a header into the net for his first World Cup goal.
The strike carried extra significance for the 35-year-old. Jiménez, who battled back from a life-threatening head injury suffered in 2020, was visibly emotional after scoring. He broke down in tears as teammates surrounded him in celebration. The goal also came in a year marked by personal loss following the death of his father.
As the match entered its closing stages, tensions began to rise.
South Africa’s frustrations were compounded when Themba Zwane received a straight red card after an off-the-ball incident in which he struck an opponent. The dismissal left Bafana Bafana with nine players for the final minutes.
Mexico were also reduced to 10 men before the final whistle. Defender César Montes was sent off after Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio ruled that he had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, a decision that sparked debate among spectators despite conforming to the laws of the game. The dismissals did little to alter the outcome.
When the final whistle sounded, thousands of Mexican supporters celebrated a successful start to the tournament. The victory puts El Tri in a strong early position as they pursue a place in the knockout rounds, while South Africa faces an immediate challenge to revive their campaign in the matches ahead.
Mexico has bagged three points, two goals and a memorable World Cup opening. This was a difficult introduction to the biggest stage in football for South Africa.
