The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially got underway in spectacular fashion as Mexico secured a convincing 2-0 victory over South Africa in the opening Group A match at Mexico City Stadium on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Backed by a passionate home crowd of 80,824 supporters, El Tri delivered a professional performance to claim all three points and make an ideal start to their World Cup campaign.
Mexico 2-0 South Africa: Full Time Score
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Mexico vs South Africa | Mexico 2-0 South Africa |
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group A |
| Date | June 11, 2026 |
| Venue | Mexico City Stadium |
| Attendance | 80,824 |
| Half-Time Score | Mexico 1-0 South Africa |
| Full-Time Score | Mexico 2-0 South Africa |
The tournament opener featured a colorful opening ceremony before kick-off, setting the stage for a memorable evening in Mexico City. The hosts quickly settled into the contest and controlled large portions of possession, creating numerous chances against a South African side that eventually finished the match with only nine players.
Goal Scorers
Mexico
| Player | Minute |
|---|---|
| Julián Quiñones | 9′ |
| Raúl Jiménez | 67′ |
Assists
| Player | Assist |
|---|---|
| Erik Lira | 9′ Goal |
| Roberto Alvarado | 67′ Goal |
Mexico struck early when Julián Quiñones opened the scoring in the ninth minute. The forward finished confidently after being set up by Erik Lira, sending the home supporters into celebration. Quiñones remained a constant threat throughout the match and was unfortunate not to score a second goal after hitting the post later in the game.
Raúl Jiménez doubled Mexico’s advantage in the 67th minute. The experienced striker headed home from close range following a precise delivery from Roberto Alvarado. It was Jiménez’s first-ever goal at a FIFA World Cup finals tournament and proved to be the decisive moment that secured the victory.
Red Cards and Key Events
The match was also notable for a series of disciplinary incidents.
South Africa
- Yaya Sithole – Red Card (49′)
- Themba Zwane – Red Card (84′)
Mexico
- César Montes – Red Card (90+2′)
Sithole became the first player to be sent off at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after receiving a red card shortly after halftime. South Africa’s task became even more difficult when veteran midfielder Themba Zwane was dismissed in the 84th minute, reducing Bafana Bafana to nine men.
Mexico also finished with ten players after defender César Montes received a red card deep into stoppage time.
Match Statistics
Mexico dominated the statistical battle from start to finish.
| Stat | Mexico | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 16 | 4 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 3 |
| Possession | 61% | 39% |
| Passes | 538 | 341 |
| Pass Accuracy | 91% | 83% |
| Fouls | 12 | 11 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 2 |
| Red Cards | 1 | 2 |
| Offsides | 1 | 1 |
| Corners | 3 | 1 |
Mexico’s control of possession and superior passing accuracy highlighted their dominance throughout the contest. The hosts completed 538 passes with an impressive 91% success rate while limiting South Africa to just four total shots.
What the Result Means
Mexico move to the top of Group A following the opening round of matches and will take significant confidence into their next fixture. South Africa, meanwhile, face an uphill challenge after suffering defeat and losing key players through suspension.
The opening match showcased Mexico’s attacking quality, defensive organization, and ability to capitalize on opportunities. With goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez, El Tri delivered the perfect start to their home World Cup journey, while South Africa will be left searching for answers after a difficult evening that included two red cards and a disappointing defeat.