Mexico Crush South Africa 2–0 in FIFA World Cup 2026 Opener; Three Red Cards Mark Chaotic Match

By Thetripurapost Sports Desk, Mexico
Jun 12, 2026
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Mexico Starts FIFA World Cup 2026 Campaign with Dominant 2–0 Win Over South Africa

Mexico opened their FIFA Official Website 2026 journey with a strong and disciplined performance, defeating South Africa 2–0 at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The match saw early attacking dominance from the hosts along with multiple disciplinary incidents that shaped the contest.

Raúl Jiménez Doubles Lead in Second Half

Mexico extended their advantage in the 67th minute through a well-executed team move. Roberto Alvarado delivered a precise cross into the box, which Raúl Jiménez converted with a powerful header to make it 2–0.

The second goal effectively sealed the result, giving Mexico full control of the match.

Three Red Cards Disrupt Match Flow

The match turned highly aggressive with multiple disciplinary actions:

South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole received a red card in the 49th minute for a late foul on Bryan Gutiérrez.
Themba Zwane was sent off in the 84th minute for violent conduct, reducing South Africa to nine players.
Mexico’s César Montes was shown a red card in stoppage time for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.

The dismissals significantly impacted South Africa’s ability to recover in the match.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Highlights

FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the World Cup trophy during the opening ceremony attended by global celebrities including Salma Hayek. The event featured performances by Shakira, Burna Boy, and J Balvin, who contributed to the tournament’s official anthem “Dye-Dye.”

Public Protests Reported in Mexico During Tournament Opener

While celebrations continued inside the stadium, protests were reported in parts of Mexico. Demonstrators demanded higher wages and improved working conditions for teachers, criticizing the government for prioritizing World Cup preparations over domestic issues.