Quinones and Jimenez give Mexico 2-0 win over South Africa in 2026 World Cup opener

In the 2026 World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa, the co-hosts defeated South Africa 2-0 in an exciting match!

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Quinones and Jimenez gave Mexico their first victory in the World Cup, and started with the right foot in the 2026 World Cup.

With Montes' red card, South Africa try to score at least one goal in the game.

Cesar Montes sees the red card and Mexico now have 10 man on the field.

Seven minutes of additional time.

Without having any player in the attack, South Africa hold on their defensive line, while Mexico keep trying to score.

After two red cards, Mexico have more space to attack and find another goal.

Zwane is being sent off after a VAR review, called by Nicolas Gallo.

Appollis had the first shot-on-target for South Africa and goalkeeper Rangel holds it without any trouble.

Julian Quinones out, Alexis Vega in.

South Africa are now tired and Mexico are trying to get the ball and score another goal.

After a great recovery from Mora, Jimenez was about to score, but a defender from South Africa went fiercely, and took the ball clearly.

Both teams are on the field to restart the game.

Time to hydrate.

A great crossing found Jimenez to score the second goal of the game with a furious header.

Chavez, Mora are in, Gutierrez and Fidalgo are out.

With South Africa missing one player, Mexico are not taking advantage of +1 they have and the match continues 1-0.

With one of their players sent off, South Africa are not having the best performance in defense and are struggling in this game against Mexico.

With Mexico pressing South Africa's exit, the co-hosts are trying to score through free kicks.

Mexico 59%, South Africa 41%.

After Sithole being sent off, Mexico have the ball possession and South Africa seem confused.

Sithole committed a foul being the last man standing in the defense and Sampaio sents him off.

A mistake in the South Africa's defense, almost let Mexico to score another goal in the game.

Sampaio blows his whistle and the second half begins.

• 5' — Mexico established dominance immediately. Israel Reyes sent a brilliant cross from the right wing to Raul Jimenez, whose close-range strike looked destined for the net before South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams pulled off a superb diving parry.
• 9' — GOAL! Mexico 1 – 0 South Africa (Julian Quinones)
• 17' — First Yellow Card: Teboho Mokoena
• 23' — Mexican midfielder Brian Gutierrez was shown a yellow card.
• 37' — South Africa finally carved out their best offensive opportunity. A long, lofted ball found star striker Lyle Foster in the box, but his header sailed just wide right of Raul Rangel’s goal.
• 42' — Mexico came agonizingly close to doubling their advantage. Williams initially made another stellar reaction save to deny Jimenez a second time, but the ball fell right back to Quinones. The winger's curling effort beat the keeper but rattled sharply off the base of the right post and bounced clear.

Sampaio blows his whistle and the first half ends.

Mexico are not having trouble in the game, but South Africa keep trying.

Four minutes of additional time.

A great ball possession for Mexico almost ends in a goal from Quinones, who hit the post in the edge of the area.

Despite the result, both teams are now feeling the pressure and have slowed down.

South Africa had their first chance of the first half, with a header by Foster, but went wide.

Despite having the ball, South Africa don't know how to attack Mexico.

The Africans are trying hard to keep the ball, while Mexico wait and see if they can take advantage of that to create a dangerous situation.

By pressing Mexico, South Africa are trying to find spaces, but Mexico take advantage of the counterattacks, with the spaces in the defensive line.

Both teams are on the field again.

Time to hydrate.

With a mistake from Mexican's goalkeeper, South Africa found a clear chance in a free kick to score. 

The Mexican striker is creating all the dangerous situations for Mexico and South Africa can't control him.

Teboho Mokoena sees the first yellow card of the World Cup.

Mexico 61%, South Africa 39%

Another corner kick was given to Mexico and Raul Jimenez tried to score, but Williams took the ball.

After a great steal in South Africa's area, Quinones took advantage of it and scored.

Mexico are pressing with Quinones and Jimenez, in order to get the ball closer to Williams' area.

With Mexico pressing their exit in the defensive line, South Africa cross the ball to Mexico's area to create dangerous situations, this time didn't happen.

Raul Jimenez shot on target in front of the goalkeeper of South Africa and he sent the ball to the corner kick. Nothing happened after that.

The ball possession for Mexico it's the main thing happening in this game, as South Africa just wait on their area.

Referee Wilton Sampaio blows his whistle and the 2026 World Cup begins!

Everything is ready to start, as both teams are on the field for the protocolary acts.

The Italian singer Andrea Bocelli is singing of the songs of the World Cup alongside more artists.

With flags of the nations participating in the 2026 World Cup, FIFA shows the world what this tournament represents.

Mexico will seek for a greater participation in a World Cup, as they already recorded their best appearances in the tournament when they were host.

Today, Estadio Azteca will pass to history by hosting their third World Cup opener game and this time, the stadium suffered multiple transformations for this moment.

Alongside Alvarez, Guillermo Ochoa and Santiago Gimenez are two of the main players for Mexico that will start from the bench.

Despite being one of the best players in Mexico's roster, Javier Aguirre decided that Edson Alvarez starts from the bench for this opening game.

Compared to what the other teams in Group A are located in FIFA's World Ranking, South Africa are located in a lower position that their rivals.

Like it was expected to happen, both nations will play with their home uniforms, despite Mexico are at home.

With just a couple of minutes left to play the World Cup opener, Mexico and South Africa are on the field warming up.

South Africa's starting XI: Ronwen Williams; Aubrey Modiba, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon; Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Jayden Adams; Lyle Foster, Iqraam Rayners

Mexico's starting XI: Raul Angel; Cesar Montes, John Vasquez, Israel Reyes, Jesus Gallardo; Erik Lira, Alvaro Fidalgo, Brian Gutierrez; Raul Jimenez, Julian Quinones, Roberto Alvarado

With multiple artists, performers and people in logistics, the Opening Ceremony has plenty of people working on it.

The show is just on at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City!

The fans woke up early to go to Estadio Azteca and watch the World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa.

Mexico and South Africa will play the first game of the 2026 World Cup at Estadio Azteca, one of the most important scenarios in Mexico City. With this game, the question that emerges is: What happens if Mexico win, tie or lose vs South Africa today?

FIFA confirmed the referees for the World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa, with a South American officiating for the first clash of the tournament.

Wilton Sampaio will be the main referee for this game.

Mexico and South Africa will play the 2026 World Cup opener at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT).

Watch the 2026 World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa live in the USA on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Hulu + Live TV, Peacock Premium, Tubi.

After years of anticipation, the 2026 World Cup officially kicks off today, with co-hosts Mexico set to open the tournament against South Africa in a highly anticipated clash at the iconic Estadio Azteca.

You can follow our live, minute-by-minute coverage right here to ensure you don’t miss a single detail, critical play, or goal as the action unfolds.