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Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez’ strikes sent tremors around Mexico City as the hosts celebrated their opening day win over Bafana Bafana in bespoke fashion.
Mexico’s Julian Quinones, center, 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)
Co-hosts Mexico got the FIFA World Cup 2026 in winning fashion as El Tri logged a 2-0 win over South Africa at the fabled Azteca in the curtain-raiser of the showpiece on Friday.
Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez’ strikes sent tremors around Mexico City as the hosts celebrated their opening day win over Bafana Bafana in bespoke fashion.
Jimenez has his early effort thwarted away before Quinones sent the Azteca, hosting its’ historic third WC opener, into delirium as he capitalised on a spillage to set himself up for a shot from inside the box and found the back of the net through South African keeper Williams legs.
The visitors looked to find a way back in, but to no avail as Mexico took a goal lead into their break and seemed poised with good value for their advantage.
South Africa went down to ten men as Sithole was given the marching orders for a challenge from behind to deny a clear-cut goal scoring opportunity, and Jimenez saw his subsequent free kick blocked by the wall.
Jimenez doubled the lead as he split away from the pack in typical fashion to get on a end of peach of cross in from the right following a quick overturn of play in favour of the hosts.
The Fulham star made no mistake in firing his header past the hapless Williams, who was no more than sitting duck at the mercy of the poacher, as the Marichis bellow ever so louder.
Bafana Bafana’s night turned into more of nightmare as Themba Zwane went sent off the pitch by the man in the middle to join Sithole in the dressing room as Mexico cruised to a triumph.
The game finished ten against nine as Montes was sent off in the second minute of added time to reduce Mexico’s pack, but as they say, all’s well that ends well, as Mexico kick started their campaign with a win.
Mexico City, Mexico
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