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Mexico Opens FIFA World Cup 2026 with 2-0 Victory Over South Africa
- Selvin Garcia
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicked off Thursday night at the legendary Estadio Azteca, as host nation Mexico delivered a strong performance in front of a packed crowd to defeat South Africa 2-0 in one of the tournament’s three opening matches.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric as Mexico looked to begin its World Cup campaign on a positive note. El Tri wasted little time making an impact when Julián Quiñones scored the first goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the ninth minute, sending the home crowd into celebration.
Mexico controlled much of the match and continued to pressure South Africa throughout the evening. Their efforts were rewarded again in the second half when veteran striker Raúl Jiménez headed home Mexico’s second goal, securing a comfortable 2-0 lead and all three points.
The match was not without controversy, as three red cards were shown. South Africa finished the match with nine players after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off, while Mexico captain César Montes also received a late red card.
The victory gives Mexico an ideal start in Group A and marks an important first step in its quest to advance to the knockout stage. Under head coach Javier Aguirre, El Tri will now turn its attention to its next group-stage match.
For the first time in history, the FIFA World Cup is being hosted by three countries — Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Mexico ensured the tournament began with a memorable night at one of football’s most iconic stadiums, giving its supporters plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Mexican fans and the soccer community in Houston gathered for the first day of World Cup action at the FIFA FanFest, Dynamo Soccer Celebration, and Dash House in East Downtown (EaDo). The FIFA FanFest reached full capacity with over 7,000 fans in attendance, and over 12,000 fans at the Dynamo Soccer Celebration and Dash House enjoyed several ongoing activations as well as an appearance from Mexico legend Francisco "Maza" Rodríguez.
Our World Cup coverage continues with our weekly Foxtrot World Cup show! Catch the show on Foxtrot TV, on your favorite podcast platform, and in the Podcasts tab in our website.
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