Report, consequence and targets as three gamers despatched off in World Cup opener

Mexico kicked off the 2026 World Cup in type, defeating South Africa 2-0 in a dramatic opening match at a packed Mexico Metropolis Stadium.

Julian Quinones etched his identify into event historical past by scoring the primary aim of the competitors, whereas Raul Jimenez added an emotional second-half strike to safe all three factors for the hosts.

Nevertheless, the consequence was overshadowed by a chaotic finale that produced three crimson playing cards, leaving South Africa with 9 males and Mexico ending the match with 10.

The environment contained in the stadium was electrical lengthy earlier than kick-off, and Mexico fed off that vitality from the opening whistle.

Javier Aguirre’s aspect dominated possession early on and virtually discovered the breakthrough inside 5 minutes. Jimenez was afforded far an excessive amount of house contained in the penalty space and met a harmful cross first time, however Ronwen Williams reacted fantastically to push the trouble away and hold the scores stage.

Mexico’s stress continued to construct and the breakthrough arrived within the ninth minute due to a expensive South African mistake. A easy go from Williams into Sphephelo Sithole invited hassle, and Erik Lira pounced to win possession on the sting of the field.

The unfastened ball fell completely for Quinones, who calmly slotted via the goalkeeper’s legs to attain the primary aim of the World Cup and ship the house crowd into celebration.

Mexico push on after opener

The early setback left South Africa rattled and Mexico appeared able to including a second. Roberto Alvarado repeatedly discovered house down the correct flank, whereas Brian Gutierrez and Alvaro Fidalgo dictated play in midfield.

Regardless of Mexico’s dominance, they had been unable to totally capitalise earlier than the break. Quinones remained the largest risk and practically doubled his tally when his low drive struck the foot of the put up after a scramble inside the realm.

Moments later, Jimenez was denied once more by one other glorious Williams save after latching onto a clipped go into the field.

South Africa steadily improved because the half wore on and at last registered their first shot on the right track via Siyabonga Mbokazi, whose curling effort was comfortably gathered by Raul Rangel.

Second-half sparks

The second half exploded into life virtually instantly. Simply moments after the restart, Williams’ distribution as soon as once more brought about issues when a unfastened go was intercepted on the sting of the realm. South Africa escaped on that event, however the warning indicators had been there.

Three minutes later, catastrophe struck for Hugo Broos’ aspect. Gutierrez raced clear on aim after one other Mexican assault and Sithole desperately clipped his heels simply exterior the penalty space.

The problem denied an apparent goalscoring alternative, leaving the referee with little alternative however to provide the primary crimson card of the event.

The second aim got here within the 67th minute. Quinones confirmed glorious composure to retain possession earlier than releasing Alvarado down the correct. The winger delivered a pinpoint cross into the centre, the place Jimenez rose highest to information a robust header past Williams.

South Africa’s frustrations started to boil over as the sport entered its closing levels. First, substitute Themba Zwane was proven a straight crimson card following a VAR evaluation. Initially missed by the referee, replays confirmed the midfielder catching Alvarado within the face whereas making an attempt to shrug him away.

Purple playing cards galore