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Mexico's Julian Quinones, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the 2026 World Cup. Alamy Stock Photo
World Cup
Amid three red cards, Mexico get home World Cup off to flying start
The co-hosts had been involved in seven matches, which either alone or jointly opened previous tournaments, but had won none of them.
Mexico 2
South Africa 0
MEXICO’S MISERY IN World Cup opening games was finally ended as they secured a 2-0 win over South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in a match featuring three red cards.
The co-hosts had been involved in seven matches, which either alone or jointly opened previous tournaments, but had won none of them.
They put that right at the eighth attempt however as goals from Julian Quinones and Fulham’s Raul Jimenez in either half gave them a victorious start against a South Africa side who finished with nine men.
Cesar Montes’ dismissal in stoppage time took some of the shine off an otherwise upbeat afternoon.
They were a goal up inside 10 minutes when Sphephelo Sithole was caught in possession on the edge of his box by Erik Lira and the ball fell to Quinones, who drove a low shot through the legs of Williams to give the co-hosts a dream start in the ninth minute.
🇲🇽 1-0 🇿🇦
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 11, 2026
The first goal of the tournament goes to the hosts. Julian Quinones pounces on a South Africa mistake
Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/qgUUOG3pGn
Quinones came close to adding his second with seven minutes of the half remaining, hitting the base of a post from a Brian Gutierrez lay-off that had Williams beaten.
Sithole’s miserable afternoon was complete when he was red-carded for bringing down Gutierrez just outside the box early in the second period, but it took until midway through the half for Mexico to kill off the contest.
🇲🇽 1-0 🇿🇦
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 11, 2026
Sphephelo Sithole shown straight red card after taking down Brian Gutierrez
Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/65x8vN3PF6
Roberto Alvarado stood the ball up to the far post from the right and Jimenez headed in from close range.
🇲🇽 2-0 🇿🇦
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 11, 2026
It's been coming and Raul Jimenez is the man to double the Mexican lead.
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South Africa substitute Themba Zwane was sent off after a VAR review for appearing to strike Alvarado in the face late on as the pair tangled, on a day which firmly belonged to the host nation.
🇲🇽 2-0 🇿🇦
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 11, 2026
Themba Zwane is second South African sent off after a VAR review of swipe at Roberto Alvarado
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Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio produced one more red, sending off Montes in stoppage time for a challenge on Khuliso Mudau.
🇲🇽 2-0 🇿🇦
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 11, 2026
FULL-TIME: We finish with 19 on the pitch as Mexico reduced to 10 men after Cesar Montes sent off for foul on Khuliso Mudau
Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/zHvGknOuwD
Written by Press Association and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.
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