Mexico secured a convincing 2-0 victory over South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca to kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup in dramatic fashion.
This clash was a rematch of the 2010 World Cup opener in South Africa, which ended in a 1-1 draw. However, there was a vast contrast between the Bafana Bafana of yesteryear and today, as the African side delivered a very lackluster performance.
๐ฒ๐ฝโฝ๏ธ ุฌูููุงู ูููููููุณ ููููุน ุนูู ุฃูู ุฃูุฏุงู ูุฃุณ ุงูุนุงูู FIFA 2026โข
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El Tri took an early lead in the 8th minute when Julian Quinones, the Saudi Pro League top scorer, capitalized on a catastrophic blunder by Sifiso Sithole to find the back of the net.
South Africa failed to threaten in the first half, and their hopes of a comeback vanished in the 49th minute when Sithole was shown a straight red card. In the 67th minute, veteran striker Raul Jimenez sealed the win for the hosts, burying a magnificent header past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
ุฑุงุคูู ุฎูู ูููุฒ ูุถุงุนู ุงููุชูุฌุฉ ูู ูุชุฎุจ ุงูู ูุณูู ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
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The match entered the history books for its disciplinary chaos when South Africa’s Themba Zwane was sent off in the 86th minute, followed by Mexicoโs Cesar Montes in the 92nd minute. This marks the first time in World Cup history that an opening match has witnessed three red cards.
With this result, Mexico temporarily tops Group A with 3 points, awaiting the outcome of the South Korea vs. Czech Republic fixture later today.
