World Cup Hosts Mexico, South Korea's Next Opponent, Defeat South Africa in Opener

In the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosts Mexico, who will be South Korea's second opponent in the group stage, defeated South Africa.

Mexico, ranked 14th in the FIFA World Rankings, defeated South Africa (ranked 60th) 2-0 in their opening Group A match of the World Cup at Mexico City Stadium on Friday (June 12).

The tournament, co-hosted by three nations (the United States, Canada, and Mexico) for the first time in World Cup history and expanded to 48 teams, kicked off its 104-match run, which will continue until July 20, with this match between Mexico and South Africa.

The opening match between the two teams also drew attention as a clash between the future opponents of the South Korean national team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo.

Mexico, a powerhouse in North and Central America making its ninth consecutive World Cup appearance, started the tournament with three points. Meanwhile, South Africa, returning to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years since hosting the tournament in 2010, suffered a defeat after failing to overcome the Mexican wall.

South Korea, placed in Group A, will play its first match against Czechia at 11 a.m. on Friday (June 12), followed by its second and third matches against Mexico on June 19 and South Africa on June 25.

For Mexico, Raul Jimenez—a Wolverhampton Wanderers teammate of South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan—started upfront, playing alongside Julian Quinones and Roberto Alvarado.

Brian Gutierrez and Alvaro Fidalgo started in the attacking midfield, while Erik Lira controlled the midfield.

The back four consisted of Jesus Gallardo, Johan Vasquez, Cesar Montes, and Israel Reyes.

The goal was guarded not by veteran Guillermo Ochoa, who is participating in his sixth consecutive World Cup, but by Raul Rangel, born in 2000, who has been playing for the national team since 2024 and recently established himself as the starting goalkeeper.

For South Africa, Burnley forward Lyle Foster was among the starters.

With the 80,824-capacity Mexico City Stadium packed to the brim, the home team Mexico threatened just five minutes into the match with a sharp left-footed volley from Jimenez off a cross, but it was denied by a fine save from South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

However, Mexico took the lead in the ninth minute of the first half with Julian Quinones scoring the opening goal of the tournament.

Quinones, a former Colombia U-20 international who became a naturalized Mexican citizen in 2023, finished as the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League while playing for Al-Qadsiah during the 2025–2026 season.

Afterward, as Mexico sought a more stable tempo, South Africa attempted to fight back, focusing on set pieces in the middle of the first half around the newly introduced World Cup "hydration break."

While Mexico failed to press their advantage after the opening goal, South Africa managed to hold their ground well in the first half. However, a red card just four minutes into the second half swung the momentum heavily in Mexico's favor.

As Gutierrez attempted to dribble into the penalty area, he was pushed down near the penalty arc by South African midfielder Sphephelo Sithole, resulting in an immediate red card.

Down to 10 men, South Africa substituted Foster for midfielder Thalente Mbatha in the 11th minute of the second half to prevent further damage. Mexico responded by bringing on midfielder Gilberto Mora, born in 2008, in place of Fidalgo in the 21st minute of the second half, as both teams continued to make substitutions.

At 17 years and 240 days old, Mora set a new record as the youngest Mexican player to ever appear in a World Cup.

Mexico then sent the home crowd into further ecstasy in the 22nd minute of the second half when star player Jimenez found the back of the net.

Scoring his 46th international goal, Jimenez tied retired forward Jared Borgetti, who played from 1997 to 2008, for second place on Mexico's all-time scoring list.

South Africa's hopes of a comeback were completely extinguished when second-half substitute midfielder Themba Zwane was sent off in the 39th minute of the second half for a reckless foul, striking Alvarado in the face.

Mexico sealed the victory, but ended the match on a sour note as key central defender Montes was sent off in second-half stoppage time for pushing down South Africa's Khuliso Mudau, dealing a blow to the team ahead of their upcoming match against South Korea.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.