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World Cup 2026
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Mexico got the 2026 World Cup underway by comfortably beating South Africa 2-0, in a match that saw three players sent off.
The outstanding Julian Quinones scored the opening goal of the tournament and almost added a second before half-time.
South Africa’s Yaya Sithole was sent off after the break for bringing down Brian Gutiérrez, with Mexico’s legendary striker Raul Jimenez adding the second.
Things went from bad to worse for South Africa when Themba Zwane was dismissed for violent conduct. But he wasn’t the last player to go, with Mexican defender Cesar Montes receiving the same punishment for a clumsy challenge in stoppage time.
We're up and running at the 2026 World Cup — and there's so much to look forward to, starting in just a few hours' time.
South Korea and Czech Republic are the next two teams to take centre stage as they meet in Guadalajara.
Kick-off for that match is at 10pm ET/7pm PT in the U.S. and 3am BST in the UK. We'll have live coverage of that game on The Athletic, so don't be shy if you'd like to follow along.
The outlook is much more positive for Mexico, who are now strong favourites to reach the round of 32.
They play South Korea in Guadalajara on Thursday at 7pm local time. That's 9pm ET and 6pm in the U.S. and 2am on Friday morning in the UK.
With that defeat, it will now be very difficult for South Africa to get out of Group A and into the knockout stages.
The chances of that happening, according to The Athletic's forecasts, are 62 percent, so getting a win against Czech Republic in their next match feels essential.
That one takes place at noon ET (9am PT, 5pm BST) in Atlanta on Thursday.
One of the hallmarks of the 2010 World Cup — the vuvuzela — seemingly made its return with some South Africa fans bringing them to fan zones for today’s match.
Thankfully for those of us who remember the hum that accompanied the tournament in South Africa 16 years ago, they are not a feature this time around.
FIFA (supposedly) has rules for broadcasters during World Cup hydration breaks.
Fox broke them during the very first game, and even missed match action showing commercials…
Read more about Fox's transgressions here.
GO FURTHER
Fox uses World Cup hydration breaks for commercials – but leaves fans missing action
Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre has been addressing his post-match press conference, praising his side's performance and challenging them to build on it.
💬 “It could easily have been 3-0. We were superior in the first half but it got difficult when we didn't find the second goal.
“It was a good performance but we can also improve.”
Nothing for South Africa to celebrate on the pitch tonight. It’s a similar story off it too: they are the only team without a birthday among their squad during the World Cup.
Roberto Alvarado, who assisted Raul Jimenez's goal in the 67th minute, spoke to FIFA about the emotions he felt today.
💬 “It was a really beautiful feeling, something beyond words, something I had always dreamed of; playing a match of this magnitude, at home, with these fans.
“I’m happy that Raul was able to score that goal. At half-time, he had told me to send in a cross for him. I didn’t think twice, and I knew that in that area it could be dangerous. Thank God I got the assist and Raul was able to score that goal.”
Alvarado also touched on how Mexico approached the match.
💬 “The game plan is always to go out and press. After that, we dropped the tempo a bit, but maybe we lacked a little more patience and a little more possession of the ball.”
Speaking to FIFA after Mexico's win, goalscorer Julian Quinones acknowledged the fantastic support the team has received from its fans.
💬 “I'm happy and excited to score my first World Cup goal, in such a spectacular stadium with amazing fans. It's important for me to acknowledge what my team-mates did to secure the first three points.
“We've felt the support of the fans these past few days. We're connected, and today it really showed.”
South Africa coach Hugo Broos has been speaking at his post-match press conference, defending the performance of his players and questioning his team's second red card of the game for Themba Zwane.
💬 “I don't think it was a drop in standards from my players. The level was higher. We were playing against a good team.
“I saw a desperate Mexico at some times in the game. We had some opportunities before the last pass.
“We will be back, playing the same game but better defensively.
“The first red card, we have to accept it. The second we can discuss. The Mexican player blocked my player.
“I think it was a little bit soft.”
One game down, 103 to go.
Victory for Mexico today puts them in a really strong position to advance to the knockouts — another point from their next two games will likely see them through.
As for South Africa, they are behind the eight ball early on but have 180 minutes to turn it around, though they will be without their two suspended players for next Thursday's game against Czech Republic.
FIFA's official stats platform has data on the cumulative distance each team traveled during the match, including a breakdown by speed.
The disparity in how far the teams traveled while moving 0-7 kilometres per hour, essentially walking, is massive: 39.60 kilometres for South Africa, and just 1.18 for Mexico.
And here’s Canelo Alvarez handing over the man of the match trophy to Quinones.
The first of many famous fans to take in a slice of the action at this World Cup.
Mexico dominated every facet of that opening match and were full value for their 2-0 win.
Their 16 shots were worth 1.41 xG while South Africa could only muster three shots, two of them from a long way outside the penalty area.
Mexico are now unbeaten in their last eight World Cup openers, winning six and drawing two since losing 1-0 against Norway in their first game in 1994.
Here’s Julian Quinones picking up his man of the match award after a star turn in that opening match.
One happy man!
An emotional celebration from Raul Jimenez after his goal.
Scoring in a home game at a World Cup — nothing gets better than that.
Julian Quinones' strike in the ninth minute marked the first time a CONCACAF player scored the first goal in a World Cup tournament.
Over to you, Canada and USMNT tomorrow!
Not only were there only four red cards in the whole of the last World Cup, but one was after full time so it barely counts, and another was for Vincent Aboubakar taking his shirt off after scoring in the 93rd minute and he seemed to love it.
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Mexico beat South Africa in World Cup opener with three red cards: Live updates and reaction – The New York Times
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