What happened in yesterday's Mexico vs South Africa game: Quinones, Jimenez fire hosts to dream 2026 FIFA WC start

2 days ago 4

ARTICLE AD BOX

Mexico’s remarkable finishing and home energy made the difference on opening night. The co-hosts have given their fans exactly what they wanted, a winning start to what promises to be a memorable World Cup.

Mexico's Cesar Montes fouls South Africa's Khuliso Mudau and is later sent off

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off in style on June 11 as co-host Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in front of a roaring crowd at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Julian Quinones scored the tournament’s first goal, and Raul Jimenez added a second as the hosts made a strong statement in the Group A opener.

A special night at the Azteca

This match was a reverse of the 2010 World Cup opener, when South Africa hosted Mexico and drew 1-1. Sixteen years later, Mexico welcomed the world to the biggest-ever World Cup with 48 teams and 104 matches. The pre-match show lit up the iconic stadium with performances from Shakira, Burna Boy, and others, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for over 80,000 fans.

Mexico entered as favourites, boosted by home support and familiarity with the high altitude. South Africa, coached by Hugo Broos, arrived full of hope after topping their qualifying group but knew the challenge would be immense.

Julian Quinones strikes early to settle nerves

Mexico needed just nine minutes to break the deadlock. A quick attack involving Erik Lira opened space for Julian Quinones, who finished neatly to score the opening goal of the 2026 tournament. The Azteca exploded in celebration as the hosts took full control of the game.

South Africa tried to respond through midfield anchor Teboho Mokoena and forward Lyle Foster, but Mexico’s pressing and movement kept them pinned back for most of the first half. The early goal gave Javier Aguirre’s side confidence and rhythm.

Red cards and Raul Jimenez’s header seal the result

The second half brought drama. In the 49th minute, South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole was sent off for a professional foul that denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Playing with ten men made life much harder for Bafana Bafana.

Mexico took advantage in the 67th minute. Roberto Alvarado delivered a perfect cross, and Raul Jimenez rose to power a header into the net. The veteran striker’s goal put the result beyond doubt and gave Mexico breathing room.

Late in the game, tempers flared. South Africa’s Themba Zwane received a red card for violent conduct, and another dismissal followed as the match wound down. Mexico managed the closing stages professionally despite the disruptions and secured a clean-sheet victory.

Looking ahead

Mexico sit top of Group A with three points and momentum heading into their next fixtures against South Korea and Czechia. The win shows they can handle the pressure of hosting and opens their campaign on a high note.

For South Africa, the loss is a tough start. Reduced to nine men at one stage, they battled but could not find a way back. Coach Broos will need his team to regroup quickly for the challenges ahead in the group.

About the Author

Aachal Maniyar

Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.

Read Entire Article