The 2026 World Cup officially started this Thursday (11). Mexico, one of the three hosts, with the United States and Canada, had the task of facing South Africa. The Mexicans won comfortably by the score of 2-0.
What caught attention in the match, however, was the number of red cards presented by Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio. There were three: two South Africans and one Mexican. The number is the record in the history of opening games.
The first match returned to legendary Azteca Stadiumwho testified world titles for Pelé, in 1970, and Maradona, in 1986and hosts the first game of the World Cup for the third time in history.
A FIFA debuted a new protocol for introducing teams in this competition, with some changes. The 26 called up enter the field, around the central circle, in this case, rocked by the trail that led Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in the 90s, when they entered the court.
The live Mexican anthem brought players to tears, and the emotion at Azteca was palpable. All this fuss delayed the start of the game by around five minutes.
How was the game
packaged, the Mexicans sang olé from the first touch of the ball. As soon as South Africa took the round, the Azteca were booed. In the 4th minute of the game, the first bomb in South Africa’s goal. Álvaro Fidalgo stopped in defense of Ronwen Williams, betting on a high mark.
The pressure on the Africans yielded results in the 9th minute of the game. Julián Quiñones, forward, took advantage of the recovery in midfield and sent the ball under Wiliams’ legs. The first goal of the World Cup comes out. He was the Arab league’s top scorer with 33 goals for Al-Qadsiah.
Mexico’s high lines left spaces at the back that Hugo Broos’ team was unable to take advantage of. The first World Cup card, at least, is from Brazil.
Wilton Pereira Sampaio booked Teboho Mokoena after fouling Fidalgo. Brian Gutiérrez was also booked. Africa arrived for the first time in the middle of the first half, but without danger.
The match cooled down after the hydration stop, mandatory for all 104 games in the competition. Mbekezeli Mbokazi attempted a bomb from outside the box at the end of the first half, but it was saved without any problem by Raúl Rangel, the Mexican goalkeeper. Brian Gutiérrez still had a chance to increase the score in the last minutebut he got a weak pout.
Second half
The second stage started with a mess from the African teamwhich was not well used by Fidalgo. Quiñones played a beautiful pen in the middle of the field and tried to score the second goal, from far away, without danger.
South Africa increasingly showed its fragility. Launching for Gutiérrez, the defender Siphephelo Stihole was sent off for bringing down the attacker and hinder a clear and clear chance of scoring. Mexico tried a rehearsed move that led to nothing.
Around 20 minutes, It started to rain in Mexico City. Gilberto Mora, the youngest player at this World Cup, aged 17, replaced Brian Gutiérrez.
Soon after the substitution, in a cross from Roberto Alvarado on the right side, the veteran Raúl Jiménez doubled the score with a header at the back post.
Mexico tried to score more goals, but missed many passes as they approached the South African area. With ten minutes left to end the match, Themba Zwane punched Roberto Alvarado in the back of the head, not very hard and was expelled. The Mexican victory was more than confirmed.
Before the end, there was still time for César Montes to be sent off for interrupting another clear and clear chance to score. The decision was well questioned by the players.
Technical sheet
Score: Mexico 2 x 0 South Africa
Competition: World Cup – 1st round of the group stage – Group A
Local: Azteca Stadium – Mexico City, Mexico
Arbitrator: Wilton Pereira Sampaio
Mexico: Raúl Rangel, Israel Reys, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, Jesús Gallardo, Erik Lira (Edson Álvarez), Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutiérrez (Luis Chávez), Álvaro Fidalgo (Gilberto Mora), Julián Quiñones (Alexis Vega), Raúl Jiménez (Armando González)
Technical: Javier Aguirre
South Africa: Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba (Oswin Appollis), Teboho Mokoena, Siphefelo Stihole, Jayden Adams (Themba Zwane), Lyle Foster (Talente Mbatha), Iqraam Rayners (Evidence Makgopa)
Technical: Hugo Broos
Yellow cards: Brian Gutiérrez (Mexico)/Teboho Mokoena, Nkosinathi Sibisi (South Africa)
Red cards: César Montes (Mexico) / Siphephelo Stihole, Themba Zwane (South Africa)
