The Mexican national team broke its long-standing curse in World Cup opening matches and, for the first time in its history, won an opener by defeating South Africa 2-0 thanks to the decisive impact of goals by Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez.
Mexico dominated from start to finish—a team that had never before won a World Cup opening match. It had lost five and drawn two prior to this match in the United States, Mexico, and Canada 2026 tournament, which it won convincingly.
Quiñones strikes early and gets the party started
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Quiñones, a naturalized Colombian, and Jiménez demonstrated the Mexicans’ superiority in a match that ended with three players sent off:
Two from South Africa, Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane, and César Montes from Mexico.
The home team started off in control of the ball.
He didn’t pass the ball for a minute and a half, prompting a chorus of “ole, ole” from the fans.
The team then pushed forward and came close to taking the lead in the 5th minute.
When Raúl Jiménez fired a left-footed shot at goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who made a good save.
Under pressure from more than 80,000 fans, South Africa held its ground, but in the 9th minute, Williams and Sphephelo Sithole miscommunicated and lost the ball on the break.
Lira recovered the ball and passed it to Quiñones, who fired a lethal shot across goal into the far corner to make it 1-0 (Filed under: Mexico vs. South Africa, historic victory).
South Africa collapses, leaving the way clear for Mexico
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Mexico maintained control in midfield, where play was largely confined until the 42nd minute, when Williams came to the South Africans’ rescue once again.
With a great save, he stopped another shot by Jiménez.
Seconds later, Quiñones hit the post, another missed opportunity for coach Javier “Vasco” Aguirre’s team.
The second half began with another mistake by South Africa on the break.
Álvaro Fidalgo, a Spanish national who has become a Mexican citizen, got hold of the ball, but Ime Okon was there just in time to make the save.
Belgian coach Hugo Broos’s team was reduced to 10 men in the 49th minute after Sithoele was sent off.
On a fateful afternoon, the Portuguese Tondela player missed a scoring opportunity and left his team down to 10 men on the field (Filed under: Mexico, South Africa, historic victory).
Mexico seals the victory with a thrilling goal
If there was one poetic touch missing for Mexico to have a perfect game, Jiménez provided it in the 67th minute with a header.
A little over five years after recovering from brain surgery.
South Africa fell apart in the 84th minute when Themba Zwane was sent off, forcing Broos’s team to sit back to avoid further damage.
Toward the end, César Montes, a player for the home team, was also shown a red card.
Mexico and South Africa will play their second World Cup match next Wednesday.
Mexico in Guadalajara against South Korea; the “Bafana Bafana” in Atlanta against the Czech Republic (Filed under: Mexico, South Africa, historic victory).
Technical data
2. Mexico: Raúl Rangel; Jesús Gallardo, Johan Vásquez, César Montes, Israel Reyes; Erik Lira (Édson Álvarez, 76′), Brian Gutiérrez, Álvaro Fidalgo; Julián Quiñones (Alexis Vega, 79′), Raúl Jiménez (Armando González, 76′), Roberto Alvarado.
Coach: Javier Aguirre.
0. South Africa: Ronwen Williams; Aubrey Modiba (Oswin Appollis, 76′), Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khuliso Mudau; Ime Okon; Teboho Mokoeka, Sphephelo Sithole; Jayden Adams (Themba Zwane 61′); Lyle Foster (Mbatha Thalente 56′), Iqraam Rayners (Evidence Makgopa 76′).
Head Coach: Hugo Broos.
Goals: 1-0, 9th min: Julián Quiñones; 2-0, 67th min: Raúl Jiménez.
Referee: Wilton Sampaio. He booked Brian Gutiérrez, Teboho Mokoena, and Nkosinathi Sibisi. He sent off Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane of South Africa, and César Montes of Mexico.
Highlights: The opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, between the national teams of Mexico and South Africa, kicked off Group A at the Mexico City Stadium—known as the Azteca—in front of more than 80,000 fans (Filed under: Mexico, South Africa, historic victory).
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com