'Mexico's Kim Min-jae' Sent Off... Hopes for Group Top Spot Rise

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In the official opening match held ahead of our national team's game, host nation Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0. However, Mexico faces a variable as their key defender, Montes, was sent off and will be unable to play in the second match against our team.

Pyeon Gwanghyeon reports from Mexico City.

[Reporter]

After Korean-American singer-songwriter Lee Jae, who became a global star with the theme song for the movie 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' performed the tournament's theme song featuring Korean lyrics,

[Even if I fall again, I will rise again]

The North and Central American World Cup began amidst the roar of 80,000 spectators.

Mexico seized the momentum just 9 minutes into the first half.

Quiñones, a former top scorer in the Saudi League, became the scorer of the tournament's "first goal" with a mid-range shot that passed between the goalkeeper's legs.

Jiménez, who sealed the victory with a header in the 23rd minute of the second half, shed tears of emotion.

As Mexico's 2-0 victory was confirmed, not only the Estadio Azteca but all of Mexico turned into a massive festival.

[Ruben/Mexico soccer fan: Hello. I am so happy right now. Mexico will go on to win the World Cup.]

[Andrea/Mexico soccer fan: I think soccer is the only thing that can provide such overwhelming emotion to Mexicans.]

However, Mexico also encountered a setback.

In second-half stoppage time, with the match already decided, starting center-back Montes received a red card for a reckless tackle.

With Montes, who serves as the core of the defense like our team's Kim Min-jae due to his 195cm height and speed, unable to play in the second match against South Korea, the defensive wall our attackers must break through is expected to weaken slightly.

[Aguirre/Mexico national soccer team head coach: Montes' tackle was an action that didn't need to happen, but regardless, it is part of soccer.]

Having made a pleasant start with their home fans, Mexico plans to move to Guadalajara two days before their second match against us.

Reported by Hwang In-seok | Video by Ha Seong-won
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.