Forward Julián Quiñones etched his name into World Cup history by scoring the tournament’s opening goal after just nine minutes before veteran striker Raúl Jiménez sealed victory with a second-half header in front of more than 80,000 fans at Mexico City Stadium.
The victory provided an ideal start for Javier Aguirre’s side, which is seeking to erase memories of its disappointing group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Mexico started brightly and nearly took the lead within five minutes when Jiménez forced South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into an early save. The breakthrough arrived shortly afterward when Erik Lira dispossessed Sphephelo Sithole in midfield and Quiñones drove a low shot through Williams’ legs from just inside the penalty area.
South Africa managed to keep the deficit at one goal before halftime despite sustained Mexican pressure, with Williams producing another fine save to deny Jiménez while Quiñones also struck the post.
The match turned decisively in Mexico’s favour early in the second half when Sithole was shown a straight red card for bringing down Jiménez as the striker raced through on goal.
Moments later, Mexico doubled its lead. Quiñones combined neatly with Jiménez before feeding Roberto Alvarado, whose cross was headed home by the 35-year-old striker at the back post.
The contest descended into further drama late on as South Africa substitute Themba Zwane was sent off for striking an opponent, while Mexico defender Cesar Montes also received a red card for a late challenge.
The three dismissals made it the first World Cup opening match in history to feature three red cards and the most in any World Cup game since Portugal’s infamous clash with the Netherlands in 2006.
“I made an effort to explain to them what a World Cup and an opening match on home soil meant, but they had to experience it for themselves,” Aguirre said after the match.
Quiñones, named player of the match, said scoring the opening goal of the tournament was a special moment.
“I’m happy and excited to score my first World Cup goal in such a spectacular stadium with amazing fans,” he said.
Earlier in Guadalajara, South Korea recovered from a goal down to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1.
After a largely uneventful first half, Czech captain Ladislav Krejci put his side ahead in the 59th minute with a header following a long throw into the penalty area.
South Korea responded eight minutes later when Hwang Hee-chan equalised with a composed finish after cleverly evading two defenders. The winger then turned provider in the 80th minute, delivering a cross from the right that was converted by Oh Hyeon-gyu for the winning goal.
The results leave Mexico and South Korea level on three points at the top of Group A. The two sides will meet next Thursday in Guadalajara, while South Africa faces the Czech Republic in Atlanta.
“It would be important to win the group, but right now the only thing we’re thinking about is the match against Korea,” Aguirre said. “We’re going to take it step by step and see what the future holds.”
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