Mexico began the 2026 World Cup with a controlled 2-0 win over nine-player South Africa, in a match dominated by three straight red cards and one-sided attacking numbers, giving the co-hosts an early advantage in Group A at Mexico City Stadium.

The opener also produced a notable statistical marker. It became the first World Cup match with three direct dismissals since South Africa faced Denmark in 1998, while the number of reds in this single game almost matched the entire 2022 tournament, which saw only four in 64 fixtures.

South Africa struggled throughout and contributed to many of the key turning points. The team created little with the ball, managing three attempts worth only 0.07 expected goals, and became the first side since the 2006 clash between Portugal and the Netherlands to receive two red cards in one World Cup match.

Mexico, by contrast, controlled territory and tempo for long spells. The co-hosts produced 16 shots, 1.41 expected goals and 20 touches in the opposition penalty area, compared with only two such touches for South Africa, which underlined how rarely Ronwen Williams’ side escaped sustained pressure.

The match opened at high speed. Raul Jimenez, making a first World Cup start despite appearing at four tournaments, tested Williams with a strong effort in the fifth minute, as Mexico immediately targeted an early breakthrough in front of an expectant home crowd.

The decisive opening goal arrived shortly after, following a heavy mistake at the back. Williams misplaced a pass towards Yaya Sithole, whose poor first touch allowed Erik Lira to intercept, before Lira found Julian Quinones, who steadied himself and struck through Williams’ legs in the ninth minute.

Mexico almost extended the advantage before the interval. Jimenez saw another promising attempt blocked, while Quinones drove a low shot against the post. South Africa offered little response, and their expected goals total in the first half stood at only 0.06, highlighting the lack of meaningful attacking threat.

Any hope of a response faded early in the second period. In the 49th minute, Sithole brought down Brian Gutierrez when the Mexico player ran clear on goal, and referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio issued a straight red card, the first in a World Cup opening fixture since Marco Etcheverry was dismissed for Bolivia against Germany in 1994.

2026 World Cup stats: Mexico vs South Africa key numbers

Several milestones and age records also emerged from the contest. Gilberto Mora came on from the bench and became the youngest player to appear for a host nation at a World Cup, stepping onto the pitch at 17 years and 240 days, and drawing a notable reaction from the home support.

Jimenez finally ended a long wait for a World Cup goal in the 67th minute. Roberto Alvarado delivered a dangerous cross from the right, and Jimenez met it with a precise header to double the lead, scoring days after agreeing a return to Wolves and becoming the oldest scorer at a World Cup since Yahya Golmohammadi netted for Iran against Mexico in 2006.

The disciplinary story continued soon after. A VAR check led to Wilton Pereira Sampaio upgrading Themba Zwane’s clash with Alvarado to violent conduct, and Zwane became the second-oldest player ever sent off in a World Cup match, further damaging South Africa’s already slim hopes with the side now reduced to nine players.

There was one final major incident deep into stoppage time, this time affecting Mexico. Cesar Montes was dismissed after bringing down Khuliso Mudau, a decision that appeared harsh from the Mexico viewpoint but did not change the result, as South Africa had too little time and too few players to apply sustained late pressure.