FIFA World Cup 2026: Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in opening match at Estadio Azteca as three red cards are shown

Mexico vs South Africa, FIFA World Cup HIGHLIGHTS: Mexico’s Cesar Montes got sent off in the 92nd minute. Earlier South Africa saw two red cards with Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane being sent off.

Mexico vs South Africa, FIFA World Cup HIGHLIGHTS: Two goals and three red cards. That was the story of the opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa. While Julian Quinones (9th minute) and Raul Jimenez (67′) scored for the home side, their teammate Cesar Montes got sent off in the 92nd minute. This followed two red cards for South Africa with Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane being sent off.

Scroll down to find links of dispatches from Sandip G, The Indian Express’ man on the ground in Mexico City for the FIFA World Cup, including his feature on the Azteca Stadium which still carries a whiff of Diego Maradona and about Raul Jimenez’s place in Mexican footballing stardom.

Mexico (nicknamed El Tricolor) came into the game against South Africa as the overwhelming favourites. Because they have the weight of the 80,824 home supporters behind them at the Estadio Azteca. Another reason why Mexico have an edge is the stadium itself: games in Mexico will be played at high elevation with the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City being at roughly 7,300 feet.

South Africa (nicknamed Bafana Bafana) are back in the World Cup fold for the first time since the 2010 edition, which it hosted. Mexico, meanwhile, are carrying the scars of the last edition in Qatar where it failed to advance out of the group stage for the first time since 1978.