Quinones and Jimenez give Mexico 2-0 win over South Africa in 2026 World Cup opener
Mexico claimed a commanding 2-0 victory over South Africa in the 2026 World Cup opener, as Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez etched their names into the tournament's history books by netting the first two goals of the global showcase.
It was an absolute thriller to launch the tournament, featuring a spectacular opening ceremony, brilliant individual performances from both sides, and a fiery physical battle that saw three red cards brandished over the 90 minutes. With Mexico securing a crucial three points on home soil, all eyes now shift to the group’s second matchup to see how South Korea and Czechia respond.
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In the 2026 World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa, the co-hosts defeated South Africa 2-0 in an exciting match!
You followed the live minute-by-minute coverage here on Bolavip, and we look forward to having you join us for another live coverage soon. See you next time!
90+7' - MEXICO WIN! (2-0)
Quinones and Jimenez gave Mexico their first victory in the World Cup, and started with the right foot in the 2026 World Cup.
90+4' - South Africa try to score a goal despite having 9 players (2-0)
With Montes' red card, South Africa try to score at least one goal in the game.
90+2' - Red card for Mexico (2-0)
Cesar Montes sees the red card and Mexico now have 10 man on the field.
90' - Additional time (2-0)
Seven minutes of additional time.
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88' - South Africa have their nine players on their area (2-0)
Without having any player in the attack, South Africa hold on their defensive line, while Mexico keep trying to score.
86' - Mexico have plenty of space to attack (2-0)
After two red cards, Mexico have more space to attack and find another goal.
83' - Red card for South Africa (2-0)
Zwane is being sent off after a VAR review, called by Nicolas Gallo.
80' - South Africa shot-on-target for the first time (2-0)
Appollis had the first shot-on-target for South Africa and goalkeeper Rangel holds it without any trouble.
78' - Quinones is subbed (2-0)
Julian Quinones out, Alexis Vega in.
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75' - Mexico seem stronger (2-0)
South Africa are now tired and Mexico are trying to get the ball and score another goal.
73' - Raul Jimenez tried to get a penalty (2-0)
After a great recovery from Mora, Jimenez was about to score, but a defender from South Africa went fiercely, and took the ball clearly.
70' - The match restart (2-0)
Both teams are on the field to restart the game.
68' - Cooling break (2-0)
Time to hydrate.
67' - JIMENEZ SCORES (2-0)
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.
63' - Mexico are not taking advantage of the situation (1-0)
With South Africa missing one player, Mexico are not taking advantage of +1 they have and the match continues 1-0.
60' - South Africa are struggling (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.
58' - Mexico's pressing creates danger (1-0)
With Mexico pressing South Africa's exit, the co-hosts are trying to score through free kicks.
55' - Ball possession (1-0)
Mexico 59%, South Africa 41%.
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53' - Mexico want to score the second goal (1-0)
After Sithole being sent off, Mexico have the ball possession and South Africa seem confused.
50' - Red card for South Africa (1-0)
Sithole committed a foul being the last man standing in the defense and Sampaio sents him off.
47' - Mexico almost score their second goal (1-0)
A mistake in the South Africa's defense, almost let Mexico to score another goal in the game.
45' - Second half underway (1-0)
Sampaio blows his whistle and the second half begins.
First half highlights
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.
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45+4' - Halftime (1-0)
Sampaio blows his whistle and the first half ends.
45+2' - South Africa want the equalizer (1-0)
Mexico are not having trouble in the game, but South Africa keep trying.
45' - Additional time (1-0)
Four minutes of additional time.
42' - QUINONES HIT THE POST (1-0)
A great ball possession for Mexico almost ends in a goal from Quinones, who hit the post in the edge of the area.
40' - Both teams have slowed down (1-0)
Despite the result, both teams are now feeling the pressure and have slowed down.
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37' - Mexico have slowed down (1-0)
South Africa had their first chance of the first half, with a header by Foster, but went wide.
35' - South Africa are not confident to attack (1-0)
Despite having the ball, South Africa don't know how to attack Mexico.
32' - Mexico now wait for South Africa (1-0)
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.
30' - South Africa try to find spaces (1-0)
By pressing Mexico, South Africa are trying to find spaces, but Mexico take advantage of the counterattacks, with the spaces in the defensive line.
27' - The match restart (1-0)
Both teams are on the field again.
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24' - Hydration break (1-0)
Time to hydrate.
22' - South Africa take advantage of a mistake (1-0)
With a mistake from Mexican's goalkeeper, South Africa found a clear chance in a free kick to score.
20' - QUINONES IS A MENACE FOR MEXICO (1-0)
The Mexican striker is creating all the dangerous situations for Mexico and South Africa can't control him.
17' - First yellow card for South Africa (1-0)
Teboho Mokoena sees the first yellow card of the World Cup.
15' - Ball possession (1-0)
Mexico 61%, South Africa 39%
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12' - Mexico keep pressing and want to score the second goal (1-0)
Another corner kick was given to Mexico and Raul Jimenez tried to score, but Williams took the ball.
9' - QUINONES SCORES (1-0)
After a great steal in South Africa's area, Quinones took advantage of it and scored.
8' - South Africa can't leave their area easily (0-0)
Mexico are pressing with Quinones and Jimenez, in order to get the ball closer to Williams' area.
6' - South Africa want to score through counterattacks (0-0)
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.
4' - MEXICO MISSED A CLEAR CHANCE (0-0)
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.
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2' - Mexico start with everything they have (0-0)
The ball possession for Mexico it's the main thing happening in this game, as South Africa just wait on their area.
0' - 2026 WORLD CUP BEGINS! (0-0)
Referee Wilton Sampaio blows his whistle and the 2026 World Cup begins!
Both teams are on the field
Everything is ready to start, as both teams are on the field for the protocolary acts.
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
Plenty of people have worked in this opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca
The show is just on at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City!
This is how Estadio Azteca looks like from the outside
The fans woke up early to go to Estadio Azteca and watch the World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa.
Just hours before the World Cup kicks off, this is what the area around Estadio Azteca looks like ahead of Mexico vs. South Africa 🇲🇽🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/fRXQQnRW1e
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?
Welcome to the 2026 World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa
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.
Santiago Tovar is a bilingual sports journalist who joined Bolavip US in 2024. With over seven years of experience, he has covered a diverse range of sports, including soccer, NFL, NBA, tennis, and Formula 1. Santiago has provided real-time coverage of major events such as the 2021 Women's Copa America, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, and the Davis Cup qualifiers. Before joining Bolavip US, he worked at Kienyke.com and Redmas.com.co, where he developed strategies to highlight key sports moments across websites and social media platforms.
