'Ten Against Nine'! MEX Vs RSA Becomes First FIFA WC Opener In History To..

Published 11 June 2026 · sports

'Ten Against Nine'! MEX Vs RSA Becomes First FIFA WC Opener In History To... Published By, Last Updated: June 12, 2026, 03:00 IST The opener

'Ten Against Nine'! MEX Vs RSA Becomes First FIFA WC Opener In History To... Published By, Last Updated: June 12, 2026, 03:00 IST The opener was marred by three-red cards as the game finished ten against nine as RSA's Sithole and Zwane were given the marching orders, while MEX's Cesar Montes was sent off too. South Africa's Themba Zwane (11) receives a red card from referee Wilton Sampaio, of Brazil, in the second half during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) Mexico began their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in style, securing a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the tournament’s curtain-raiser at the iconic Estadio Azteca on Friday. The opener, however, was marred by three-red cards as the game finished ten against nine as RSA’s Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane were given the marching orders, while MEX’s Cesar Montes was sent off too.

Goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez sent shockwaves through Mexico City as the hosts marked their opening-day triumph over Bafana Bafana in emphatic fashion. Jimenez was denied early on, his initial effort kept out, before Quinones ignited the Azteca – staging its historic third World Cup opener – by pouncing on a spilled ball. He set himself inside the box and drilled his shot through the legs of South African goalkeeper Williams to give Mexico the lead. South Africa tried to respond and work their way back into the contest, but Mexico held firm and took a deserved 1-0 advantage into the interval. Bafana Bafana’s task became even harder when Sithole was sent off for a challenge from behind that denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Jimenez’s resulting free kick, however, was blocked by the wall.

Jimenez eventually doubled Mexico’s lead, breaking away in trademark fashion to meet a superb cross from the right after a swift transition in favour of the hosts. The Fulham forward made no mistake, powering a header past the helpless Williams, who could only watch as the ball hit the back of the net, while the Mariachis in the stands raised their voices even louder. South Africa’s evening deteriorated further when Zwane was also dismissed, joining Sithole in the dressing room and leaving Bafana Bafana with 9 men as Mexico tightened their grip on the match. The contest ended 10 versus 9 after Montes was sent off in the second minute of added time, reducing Mexico’s numbers late on. Nevertheless, Mexico comfortably saw out the win and launched their World Cup campaign on a positive note.