Mexico launches its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa
Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored as South Africa finished with nine players after three red cards, the most ever in a World Cup opener.
- On Thursday, June 11, 2026, co-host Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the FIFA World Cup opener at the Estadio Azteca, with Julián Quiñones scoring in the 9th minute and Raúl Jiménez adding a second in the 67th minute.
- This historic tournament, jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, features a record 48 teams competing in 104 matches across the 23rd edition of the World Cup in its nearly 100-year history.
- Referee Wilton Sampaio issued three red cards—to Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane of South Africa, and César Montes of Mexico—marking the first time three players were sent off in a World Cup opening match.
- The red cards force Mexico and South Africa to adjust squad selections for next Thursday's Group A fixtures, with Mexico facing South Korea in Guadalajara while South Africa plays the Czech Republic in Atlanta.
- Thousands of fans celebrated Mexico's victory at the Angel monument in Mexico City, fueling hopes for a deep tournament run as El Tri seeks to improve on its quarterfinal finishes in 1970 and 1986, the only times it hosted.
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Mexico's victory over South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup left an image that quickly went viral...
3 Red Cards Mar Opening World Cup Match
The opening match of the World Cup delivered a rarity in international soccer: three players sent off with red cards. No World Cup match has had that many players ejected since a 2006 game between Portugal and the Netherlands, when four players received red cards—a World Cup record. The...
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
West Hawaii TodayMexico gets World Cup party started with win
MEXICO CITY — Mexico got the World Cup party started as the co-hosts swept away South Africa 2-0 on Thursday in a tempestuous clash with three red cards as the pyrotechnic smoke of the opening ceremony gave way to a cloud of red mist at a rocking Azteca stadium. The post Mexico gets World Cup party started with win appeared first on Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
Mexico won in the opening game of the 2026 World Cup against South Africa. The host country even played a game of 11 to 9, before being reduced to 10. In the other game of the group, South Korea dominated the Czech Republic 2-1.
Violent clashes with the police really ruined the atmosphere.
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