It's a fiesta at Azteca! Mexico kicked off the World Cup with 3 points... Mexico vs. South Africa: 2-0
In the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, host nation Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0. In front of 80,000 spectators at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, Julian Quinones scored the tournament’s first goal. Veteran striker Raul Jimenez scored his first World Cup goal. South Africa finished the opening match, which saw three red cards, with nine players.
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The countdown is over, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup has kicked off... Host nation Mexico took on South Africa at Mexico City Stadium in front of 80,000 fans. Javier Aguirre’s team secured a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez.
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While Mexico faces South Korea in its second group stage match, South Africa will take on the Czech Republic.
MEXICO - SOUTH AFRICA: 2-0
1' The match has begun
4' Mexico came close to scoring! Raul Jimenez struck a superb shot on the move from a cross coming in from the right, but the South African goalkeeper made a brilliant save.
9' GOAL! The first goal of the 2026 World Cup came from Julian Quinones. Capitalizing on a major defensive error by South Africa, Quinones broke through, intercepted the ball, and beat the goalkeeper with a low shot: 1-0.
19'Quinones tried his luck from distance this time, but his powerful right-footed shot went just over the bar.
36' South Africa had their first real chance; Foster headed a cross from the left flank but couldn’t find the target.
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42' POST! Mexico came very close to a second goal, but Quinones’ shot hit the post.
50' South Africa’s Yaya Sithole was shown a red card. Sithole brought down Gutierrez, who was breaking behind the defense, just as he was entering the penalty area, leaving his team down to 10 men. The first red card of the 2026 World Cup...
67' GOAL! Mexico extended their lead to 2-0 through veteran striker Raul Jimenez. Roberto Alvarado delivered a superb cross from the right flank to the far post, and Jimenez headed it in: 2-0.
76' Fenerbahce’s Edson Alvarez and Armando Gonzalez entered the game, while Lira and Gimenez were substituted off.
84' ANOTHER RED CARD! In South Africa, Zwane received a red card following a VAR review for punching an opponent, leaving his team down to nine men.
90+2' MEXICO DOWN TO 10 MEN TOO! Mexico defender Cesar Montes was shown a straight red card for a harsh challenge on an opponent.
Mexico: Rangel, Reyes, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo, Lira, Gutierrez, Fidalgo, Quinones, Alvarado, Raul Jimenez.
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Okon, Sibisi, Mbokazi, Modiba, Sithole, Adams, Mokoena, Rayners, Foster.
MAÇA SAATLER KALA KRİZ!
MEXICO VS. SOUTH AFRICA 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP MATCH: WHEN, WHAT TIME, AND ON WHICH CHANNEL?
The Mexico vs. South Africa 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match kicked off at 10:00 PM. It’s airing live and free-to-air on TRT 1.
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Our flag with the crescent and star at Azteca Stadium
Some Mexican fans came to the match dressed as legendary strikers like Luis Hernandez.
AGUIRRE FAILS TO WIN OPENING MATCH
Mexico National Team Head Coach Javier Aguirre said that no experience in his career could compare to the excitement of the FIFA World Cup held in his home country. The experienced coach, who has led Mexico in the last three World Cups, has failed to win any of his opening matches.
Aguirre noted that the team is prepared for the pressure of opening the tournament in front of more than 80,000 fans, saying, “This isn’t just about soccer; it’s also about maintaining your emotional balance. The home-field advantage only works if the players can manage the pressure well. Everyone wants to settle the match in the first half, but the game lasts 90 minutes.”
