Mexico immediately made a strong impression at the greatest World Cup in history, offering a huge dose of enthusiasm to the jubilant crowd at the mythical Azteca stadium, four years after a major disappointment.
The Mexican players knew they faced intense pressure and high expectations on Thursday in the opening match of the first 48-team World Cup tournament. But they rose to the occasion and got off to a flying start, beating South Africa 2-0 in a match that also saw three red cards shown.
"I tried to explain to them what a World Cup and a home opening match meant, but they are young and had to experience it for themselves," said Mexican coach Javier Aguirre, who played for his country the last time Mexico hosted the competition in 1986. "I can no longer speak about my experience of a home World Cup, because they now know what it's like."
Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored the goals for Mexico, which is co-hosting the 2026 tournament with Canada and the United States.
The Mexicans bounced back after the bitter disappointment of being eliminated in the group stage four years ago in Qatar. This followed seven consecutive qualifications for the round of 16, an achievement that had become a curse, as the team never reached the quarter-finals.
But this year, there is hope. Mexico has reached the quarter-finals twice in its history, and both times it was as the host country in 1970 and 1986. Aguirre was part of that team in 1986.
In front of 80,824 spectators, Mexico quickly took control and opened the scoring in the 9th minute thanks to Quiñones. Jiménez extended the lead with a header in the 66th minute, his 46th goal for Mexico, but his first in three World Cup tournaments.
“We didn’t play well in the first half, but we could have been 3-0 up at halftime and no one would have complained; we were far superior ,” said Aguirre. “In the second half, it felt like we eased off a bit, but starting with a win is good, and we can certainly improve.”
With this goal, Jiménez joins Jared Borgetti in second place on the all-time top scorers list for the Mexican national team. He is now only six goals away from the record held by Javier "Chicharito" Hernández.
Jiménez wears a head protector due to a serious injury he suffered in November 2020 while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in a Premier League match against Arsenal. He fractured his skull and underwent surgery. He was sidelined for eight months before making his return in July 2021.
For South Africa, Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were both sent off, forcing their team to finish the match with nine men. Mexican defender César Montes was then sent off in stoppage time.
This is the first time three red cards have been shown in a World Cup opening match. It is also the most red cards shown in a World Cup match since the four shown in the Portugal-Netherlands game at the 2006 tournament in Germany.
“This level is much higher than anything we’ve experienced before. We faced a good team and we played well. I saw a desperate Mexico ,” said South African coach Hugo Broos. “We need to improve in the coming days. We will overcome this disappointment.”
Quiñones, a 29-year-old striker born in Colombia, was the top scorer in the Saudi league this season. He was one of six starters making their World Cup debuts with El Tri .
Mexico now has three points in Group A and will face South Korea next Thursday in Guadalajara. South Africa will play the Czech Republic in Atlanta on the same day.
