Quiñones and Jiménez fire Mexico to 2-0 win over South Africa in World Cup Group A
Mexico opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 2-0 victory over South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026, becoming the first host nation to claim a result in the tournament's 104-match schedule. Julián Quiñones struck in the ninth minute before Raúl Jiménez added a second-half header, with South Africa reduced to nine men by the final whistle.
Mexico controlled possession from the outset, earning two corner kicks before the opening goal arrived. A goalkeeper distribution error by South Africa allowed Erik Lira to intercept, and the ball quickly reached Quiñones, who took a single touch toward the center of the pitch and drove a right-footed finish into the net. South Africa's prospects of a comeback were effectively ended in the 50th minute when Yaya Sithole received a red card for a foul on Brian Gutiérrez that denied a clear goalscoring opportunity. Playing with ten men for the remainder of the match, South Africa were unable to threaten Mexico's defense. Jiménez sealed the result in the 67th minute, meeting a cross from Roberto Alvarado with a header - his first goal in World Cup competition despite appearing in the tournament for the fourth time. South Africa's Themba Zwane was dismissed in the 84th minute, and Mexico's César Montes followed in the 92nd, leaving both sides to finish the match with ten men.
The result carries historical weight for the host nation. Mexico have now won 15 of the 23 World Cup matches in which they have scored first, drawing five and losing three. The victory also represents a direct response to a difficult 2022 campaign in Qatar, where Mexico failed to advance beyond the group stage for the first time since 1978 - ending a run of nine consecutive World Cups in which they had reached the knockout rounds, excluding a 1990 ban and failure to qualify in 1982. Mexico City Stadium, known as Estadio Azteca outside of the tournament, hosted the opening ceremony prior to kick-off, with all 48 competing nations represented and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in attendance alongside the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
The disciplinary consequences are immediate. Sithole and Zwane will both be suspended for South Africa's next Group A fixture against Czechia in Atlanta, while Montes will miss Mexico's match against Korea in Guadalajara. Mexico sit top of Group A with three points following the opening round.
