{"id":665,"date":"2026-06-12T06:35:55","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T06:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportracker.in\/?p=665"},"modified":"2026-06-12T06:35:55","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T06:35:55","slug":"more-red-cards-than-goals-mexicos-2-0-win-over-south-africa-becomes-first-world-cup-opener-with-three-dismissals-football-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportracker.in\/?p=665","title":{"rendered":"More red cards than goals! Mexico’s 2-0 win over South Africa becomes first World Cup opener with three dismissals | Football News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Mexico’s Raul Jimenez celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo\/Natacha Pisarenko)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The 2026 FIFA World Cup got off to a dramatic start in Mexico City as co-hosts Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in a fiery opening match that produced more red cards than goals. Sixteen years after the two nations shared a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, Mexico made home advantage count at Estadio Azteca, securing all three points through goals from Juli\u00e1n Qui\u00f1ones and Ra\u00fal Jim\u00e9nez. Yet the biggest talking point was a chaotic disciplinary record that saw three players sent off, making it the first World Cup opening match in history to feature three red cards. <\/p>\n

Qui\u00f1ones scores first goal of World Cup 2026 <\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

Mexico made the perfect start and needed only nine minutes to take the lead. After \u00c9rik Lira won possession from Siphephelo Sithole, Juli\u00e1n Qui\u00f1ones reacted quickest, collected the loose ball near the edge of the area and fired home to score the opening goal of the 2026 World Cup. The goal settled Javier Aguirre’s side, who controlled possession for large periods and dictated the tempo throughout the evening. <\/p>\n

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\"South<\/p>\n

Mexico’s Julian Quinones, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo\/Natacha Pisarenko)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Qui\u00f1ones nearly added a second before half-time when he struck the post, while South Africa struggled to create meaningful attacking opportunities. <\/p>\n

South Africa’s night unravels<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

South Africa’s task became significantly harder after Siphephelo Sithole was shown a straight red card. The midfielder, who had already been involved in the turnover that led to Mexico’s opening goal, was dismissed after bringing down Brian Guti\u00e9rrez just outside the penalty area as the Mexican midfielder burst towards goal. The challenge denied a clear attacking opportunity and referee Wilton Sampaio had little hesitation in producing the red card. <\/p>\n

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\"Shakira<\/p>\n

Referee Wilton Sampaio a red card to South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole, left, during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo\/Natacha Pisarenko)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ra\u00fal Jim\u00e9nez took the resulting free-kick but fired directly into the South African wall. Reduced to 10 men, Hugo Broos’ side attempted to stay organised, but Mexico continued to dominate possession and territory. <\/p>\n

Jim\u00e9nez doubles the lead as second red card follows <\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

Mexico eventually found the second goal in the 67th minute. Veteran striker Ra\u00fal Jim\u00e9nez finished from close range with a header to make it 2-0 and put the hosts firmly in control. The goal sparked huge celebrations inside the stadium and came shortly after one of the loudest ovations of the night greeted the introduction of Gilberto Mora. At just 17 years old, Mora is the youngest player at the 2026 World Cup and the teenage midfielder was handed his tournament debut as a substitute. South Africa’s evening then deteriorated further when Themba Zwane was shown a straight red card following a VAR review. The referee determined that Zwane’s challenge on Roberto Alvarado amounted to violent conduct, leaving Bafana Bafana with only nine players on the pitch. The dismissal made South Africa only the second team in World Cup history to have two players sent off in an opening match, following Cameroon against Argentina in 1990. <\/p>\n

Mexico also finish with 10 men<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

There was still time for one more dismissal. Deep into stoppage time, Mexico defender C\u00e9sar Montes was shown a straight red card for preventing a South African scoring opportunity. The sending-off reduced Mexico to 10 men and ensured the match ended with 10 Mexican players facing nine South Africans. It also created a new World Cup record, with three red cards shown in a tournament opener for the first time. Mexico’s superiority was reflected throughout the numbers. The hosts enjoyed 61 per cent possession compared to South Africa’s 39 per cent and completed 491 passes at an impressive 91 per cent accuracy rate. Mexico also generated significantly more attacking threat, finishing with 15 shots compared to South Africa’s four. <\/p>\n

Goals<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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