Mexico – South Africa 2-0: recap of a historic opener

Shakira, Burna Boy and 80,000 voices: the Azteca erupts

Even before kickoff, the evening had already shifted. Shakira and Burna Boy performed the tournament’s official anthem on the Azteca pitch, joined in the program by J Balvin. A ceremony designed as a statement: Mexico was opening the biggest World Cup in history, and the whole world was watching.

Then the flags of the 48 qualified nations paraded under the stands. The electric atmosphere did the rest. At 9:00 PM French time, the volcano was ready to erupt.

Quiñones-Jiménez: nine minutes to light the fuse, tears to follow

It took nine minutes. Julián Quiñones took advantage of a ball lost by Sithole near his box to shoot down the South African goalkeeper and score the first goal of the 2026 World Cup. The Azteca went into meltdown. The same Quiñones even hit the post before halftime.

The second half belonged to one man. At the 67th minute, on a cross from Roberto Alvarado, Raúl Jiménez cut in at the far post for his very first World Cup goal. Six years after his terrible skull fracture in 2020, the Wolverhampton striker left the pitch with tears in his eyes. El Tri had its perfect script.

What to remember from a night with three red cards?

Were you expecting an offensive festival? The night mostly burned for its discipline. Three expulsions in a single opening match: never seen before in the competition’s history. Sphephelo Sithole opened the series in the 49th minute, guilty of fouling Brian Gutiérrez who was alone on goal.

The rest turned into a full-scale test for refereeing. Themba Zwane was sent off after VAR review for a gesture on Alvarado, the tournament’s first video intervention. Then César Montes saw red in stoppage time (90+2) for a foul on Khaliso Madau — a decision by Wilton Sampaio widely contested, even after review. El Tri’s defender will miss the second Group A match.

Irony of the story: the Bafana Bafana know the tune. In 1998, their match against Denmark had already turned into a triple red card. Twenty-eight years later, for their return to the World Cup after sixteen years of absence, the lava fell on them again.

From 2010 to 2026: more than a remake, a passing of the torch

The nod did not escape anyone. In 2010, South Africa opened its own World Cup against Mexico (1-1), carried by Tshabalala’s legendary goal. Sixteen years later, the roles reversed: it’s El Tri hosting and striking hard.

For Mexico, co-host with the United States and Canada, this victory ideally launches a home campaign. 104 matches, 48 teams, three countries: the most oversized format ever attempted by FIFA just opened with a shock. The rest of Group A will say if the Azteca’s first eruption foretold others.