Mexico Beat South Africa in 2026 World Cup Opener: Three Red Cards and Two Goals

Mexico started their home 2026 World Cup campaign with a victory. In the opening match of the tournament, the Mexican national team defeated South Africa 2-0.

The match in Mexico City was tense and eventful, featuring two goals, three red cards and a huge celebration in the stands. The tournament hosts claimed an important win in their first Group A match and immediately showed their ambitions.

The first goal of the 2026 World Cup was scored by Julian Quinones. The forward, who plays in the Saudi Arabian league, opened the scoring in the 9th minute and became the author of the tournament’s historic first goal. For the naturalized Colombian, it was his third goal for the Mexico national team.

In the second half, Raul Jimenez doubled Mexico’s advantage. The 35-year-old striker scored in the 67th minute to make it 2-0. For Jimenez, it was his first goal at a World Cup. He had previously played at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments, but had not scored at a World Cup before 2026.

Jimenez now has 46 goals in 128 appearances for Mexico.

The match was also remembered for three red cards. South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off, while Mexico defender Cesar Montes also received a red card in stoppage time.

For Mexico, this victory also has symbolic significance. The Mexicans and South Africans had previously met in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

2026 World Cup, Group A, Matchday 1
Mexico — South Africa — 2-0

Goals: Julian Quinones, 9; Raul Jimenez, 67.

Red cards: Sphephelo Sithole, 49; Themba Zwane, 84; Cesar Montes, 90+2.

The next Group A match will take place at 05:00 Moscow time and 06:00 Yerevan time. South Korea and Czechia will meet in the Mexican city of Zapopan.