More red cards than goals! Mexico’s 2-0 win over South Africa became the first World Cup opener with three suspensions

ByTech Word News

Mexico’s Raul Jimenez celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) The 2026 World Cup got off to a dramatic start in Mexico City as co-hosts Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in a fiery opening match that produced more red cards than goals. Sixteen years after the two nations shared a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, Mexico capitalized on home advantage at the Estadio Azteca to secure all three points with goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez. The biggest talking point was a messy disciplinary record that saw three players sent off, making it the first World Cup opener in history with three red cards.

Quiñones scored the first goal of the 2026 World Cup

Mexico got off to the perfect start and needed just nine minutes to take the lead. After Érik Lira won possession from Siphephelo Sithole, Julián Quiñones was quickest to react, collecting the loose ball on the edge of the area and firing home to score the opening goal of the 2026 World Cup. The goal set up Javier Aguirre for the side, who controlled possession for long periods and dictated the tempo throughout the evening.

Mexico’s Julian Quinones, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Quiñones almost added a second before half-time when he hit the post as South Africa struggled to create meaningful attacking opportunities.

The night in South Africa is fading

South Africa’s task became significantly more difficult after Siphephelo Sithole received a straight red card. The midfielder, who had already been involved in the turnover that led to Mexico’s opening goal, was sent off after bringing down Brian Gutiérrez just outside the penalty area as the Mexico midfielder raced towards goal. The challenge denied a clear attacking opportunity and referee Wilton Sampaio had little hesitation in awarding a red card.

South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole, left, is shown a red card by referee Wilton Sampaio during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

The resulting free kick was taken by Raúl Jiménez, but he fired straight into the South African wall. Reduced to 10 men, Hugo Broose’s side tried to stay organised, but Mexico continued to dominate possessions and territory.

After a second red card, Jiménez doubled the lead

Mexico finally found the second goal in the 67th minute. Experienced striker Raúl Jiménez finished with a header from close range to make it 2-0 and put the home side firmly in control. The goal sparked huge celebrations in the stadium and came shortly after one of the loudest ovations of the night greeted the introduction of Gilberto Mora. At just 17, Mora is the youngest player at the 2026 World Cup and the teenage midfielder made his tournament debut as a substitute. South Africa’s night then got worse when Themba Zwane was shown a straight red card following a VAR review. The referee ruled that Zwane’s challenge on Roberto Alvarado amounted to violent conduct, leaving Bafana Bafana with only nine players on the field. With the dismissal, South Africa became only the second team in World Cup history to have two players sent off in the opening match after Cameroon against Argentina in 1990.

Mexico also finished with 10 men

There is still time left for one release. Deep into stoppage time, Mexico defender César Montes was shown a straight red card for preventing South Africa’s scoring opportunity. The sending off reduced Mexico to 10 men and ensured the match finished with 10 Mexican players against the South Africans’ nine. He also set a new World Cup record with three red cards shown for the first time in the tournament opener. Mexico’s superiority was reflected in the numbers. The hosts had 61 per cent of possession compared to South Africa’s 39 per cent and completed 491 passes with an impressive 91 per cent accuracy. Mexico also created a significantly greater attacking threat, finishing with 15 shots compared to South Africa’s four.

Objectives

  • 9′ — Julián Quiñones (Mexico) 1:0
  • 67′ — Raúl Jiménez (Mexico) 2:0

Yellow cards

  • 16′ — Teboho Mokoena (South Africa), for a reckless challenge
  • 22′ — Brian Gutiérrez (Mexico), for a tactical foul and stopping the counterattack
  • 73′ — Nkosinathi Sibisi (South Africa), for a reckless challenge

Red cards

  • Siphephelo Sithole (South Africa) – red for bringing down Brian Gutiérrez and denying a clear attacking opportunity
  • Themba Zwane (South Africa) – Straight red after VAR review for violent behavior on Roberto Alvarado
  • César Montes (Mexico) – straight red for denying South Africa a goal-scoring opportunity in stoppage time

what next

Mexico open Group A with three points and face South Korea on June 18, who will have momentum from an impressive opening night performance. South Africa, meanwhile, must regroup quickly after a frustrating and undisciplined evening. Hugo Broose’s side face the Czech Republic on June 18 knowing that another defeat could leave their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages hanging in the balance.