World Cup 2026 Opener: Mexico End Curse, Beat South Africa 2-0

MEXICO · WORLD CUP

On a night of early goals and late chaos, the host nation finally broke its oldest jinx — and an emotional Raúl Jiménez sealed a winning start to a home World Cup.

Mexico finally win a World Cup 2026 opener

Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over South Africa at the Azteca, ending a wait that had hung over the team for decades. For the first time, El Tri have won a World Cup opening match.

Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored the goals in front of a roaring home crowd. Javier Aguirre’s side controlled the game and never looked like surrendering the lead.

The result sends Mexico top of Group A with three points. It was exactly the start a jittery nation had hoped for on a long-awaited night.

Quiñones strikes early

The breakthrough came inside ten minutes. Érik Lira robbed Sithole of the ball some twenty yards out, and Quiñones drilled a low shot through goalkeeper Ronwen Williams’s legs.

It was the first goal of the expanded 48-team World Cup, and the quickest in an opening match since 2006. Quiñones almost had a second before half-time, only to strike the base of the post.

South Africa offered little going forward across the opening 45 minutes. Williams kept his side in it with a sharp early save from a Jiménez half-volley.

Jiménez’s emotional first World Cup goal

Mexico’s second arrived on 67 minutes and carried real weight. Roberto Alvarado crossed from the right and Jiménez powered a header into the far corner for his first goal at a World Cup.

The 35-year-old striker, appearing at his fourth finals, wheeled away in tears and pointed to the sky. He appeared to dedicate the moment to his father, who died earlier this year.

It was a landmark strike in more ways than one. The goal moved Jiménez up Mexico’s all-time scoring list, second only to Javier Hernández.

Three red cards, a World Cup first

The match turned chaotic in the second half. South Africa’s Sithole was sent off just before the hour for hauling down Brian Gutiérrez as the last defender.

Late on, substitute Themba Zwane saw red after a video review for striking Alvarado. In stoppage time, Mexico captain César Montes was dismissed for a foul on Khuliso Mudau.

Three dismissals are the most in any World Cup opening match. Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio left South Africa with nine men and Mexico with ten.

Home advantage and what comes next

The Azteca did its part, a wall of green roaring the hosts forward from the first whistle. The night began with a star-studded ceremony featuring Shakira and Burna Boy.

There was even a cameo for 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, sent on to savour the occasion. Boxing star Canelo Álvarez was among the celebrities in the stands.

Mexico now face South Korea in Guadalajara on June 18, then Czechia in Mexico City on June 24. Montes, though, will sit out the next match through suspension.

Why it matters

For a team that had never won its opening game at a World Cup, the relief was as big as the joy. A confident start eases the pressure that builds on every host nation.

The bigger dream, of finally reaching a fifth match and beyond, now feels a little more alive. The discipline that cost Montes a red card, however, is something Aguirre will want to tidy up fast.

What an opening win is worth

Three points from the first game eases the pressure that has defined Mexico’s recent tournaments. It also strengthens their position for the knockout seeding the 48-team draw rewards.

Playing at home adds a further edge, with familiar altitude, crowds and conditions. Few sides relish a trip to face El Tri in front of their own fans.

Where it leaves the group

An early victory lets a team manage the rest of the group rather than chase it. Coaches can rotate, protect key players and plan for the knockouts.

It also lifts the mood around a host campaign. Momentum and belief travel quickly through a home tournament.

Hosts are expected to reach the latter stages, and a winning start is the least the home crowd demands. The real tests will come once the knockouts begin.

For now, a clean opening night is a platform, not a verdict. Tournaments are built one controlled performance at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the score in the World Cup 2026 opener?

Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 at the Azteca in Mexico City. Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored the goals.

Why were there so many red cards?

A second-half collapse in discipline saw three players dismissed, two for South Africa and one for Mexico. It was a record for a World Cup opening match.

Was this Mexico’s first World Cup opener win?

Yes. Mexico had never won a World Cup opening match before, drawing five and losing two of their previous seven.

Why was Raúl Jiménez’s goal so significant?

It was his first goal at a World Cup, scored at his fourth finals. He celebrated in tears and pointed to the sky in tribute to his late father.

Who do Mexico play next?

Mexico face South Korea in Guadalajara on June 18 and Czechia in Mexico City on June 24. Both games are at home.