South Africa loses their first match to Mexico

 FIFA World Cup 2026 Updates:

Match over, Mexico 2-South Africa with three sent off by red cards, 

Raul Jimenez score first goal in opening match of FIFA Worl Cup 2026 that makes Mexico got their joint-home World Cup off to the perfect start with a 2-0 opening match win over nine-man South Africa - as three man sent off in a game that had  red cards.

South Africa finished with nine men, while Mexico were reduced to 10 in the closing moments.

Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio produced the flurry of red cards, dismissing South Africa's Yaya Sithole for denying a goalscoring opportunity and Themba Zwane for a slap, then sending off Mexico's Cesar Montes for a late foul.

But long before any hint of that turn of events, Mexico delighted their fans with the first goal of the finals after only nine minutes.

South Africa midfielder Sithole was tackled by Erik Lira and the ball dropped to Julian Quinones whose powerful strike went though the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Quinones almost made it 2-0 just before half-time, but his 12-yard first-time shot bounced off the foot of the right post.

The hosts' task became much easier when Sithole was sent off five minutes into the second half, bringing down Brian Gutierrez when he was going through on goal.

Striker Raul Jimenez, 35, sealed the victory with his first goal at a World Cup, heading in powerfully from Roberto Alvarado's cross for Mexico's second, a moment that appeared to bring tears from the veteran.