Mexico cruised past South Africa to secure the first victory of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 win, moving to the top of Group A as things stand.
Goals from Julian Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez sealed the victory for the hosts. Mexico dominated virtually every aspect of the game, controlling possession, creating chances, and dictating the tempo throughout the match.
Their relentless pressing forced South Africa into a number of mistakes, with one of them leading directly to a goal.
It was a game South Africa will want to forget, as disciplinary issues compounded their struggles. Both Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were shown straight red cards, reducing the team to nine men.
Mexico were not without their own disciplinary setback, however, as César Montes was also sent off in the 92nd minute.
South Africa’s approach was clear: absorb pressure and look to strike through quick transitions from the wide areas. However, Mexico’s excellent game plan and tactical setup prevented them from executing that strategy effectively.
It was an impressive start for the co-hosts, who now sit at the top of Group A.
