The 2026 FIFA World Cup began the way Mexico hoped it would: with a deafening crowd, an early goal, and a routine to celebrate. El Tri opened the tournament’s very first match with a 2-0 win over South Africa at Estadio Azteca, with Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scoring in front of an announced 80,824 fans, and South Africa finishing the night with two men sent off.
Quiñones Strikes First, and Early
Mexico needed only nine minutes to settle the nerves of a stadium that had waited a generation for this moment. Julián Quiñones found space inside the area and finished confidently to put El Tri ahead, sending Estadio Azteca into a frenzy and setting the tone for a Mexico performance built on pressing high and dominating the ball against a South African side determined not to be overrun in its World Cup debut.
Jiménez Doubles the Lead as South Africa Unravels
Raúl Jiménez made it 2-0 with a header midway through the second half, converting a cross that South Africa’s back line failed to clear. The result grew more lopsided from there: South Africa had Sphephelo Sithole sent off in the 49th minute and Themba Zwane dismissed in the 84th, leaving Bafana Bafana to play the closing stages with nine men. Mexico’s César Montes also saw red deep into stoppage time, a minor footnote in an otherwise comfortable night for the co-hosts.
What This Means for Group A
Mexico’s win was the perfect start to a tournament played largely on home soil, and it put early pressure on South Korea, Czechia and South Africa to find points elsewhere in Group A. For South Africa, a heavy opening defeat against a host nation in front of a hostile crowd is a tough position to claw back from, but the expanded 48-team format means even third-place finishes can carry teams into the knockout rounds — leaving the group very much alive heading into matchday two.
FAQ
Where was the Mexico vs. South Africa match played? The match was the official opening fixture of the 2026 World Cup, played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in front of 80,824 fans.
Who scored for Mexico against South Africa? Julián Quiñones opened the scoring in the 9th minute, and Raúl Jiménez added a second-half header to seal the 2-0 win.
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