AFCON 2025
The FIFA 2026 World Cup opener started on quite a chaotic note even though Mexico secured a win in the first match of the tri-nation tournament at the grand Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
It was a game with more red cards than goals after 90 minutes of football but the hosts won’t care as their team secured a clean sheet and maximum points.
Raul Jimenez had the first real chance of the game as he forced a save from Ronwen Williams off a left-footed strike in the box.
A few minutes later, Julian Quinones put Mexico ahead as he took advantage of Yaya Sithole’s sloppiness in defence to score the first goal of the tournament.
Hugo Broos’s Bafana Bafana lined up with three at the back and five men in midfield hoping to contain the Mexicans but struggled for most of the first half.
South Africa’s night went from bad to worse as Yaya Sithole picked up the first red card of the 2026 World Cup as he denied a goal-scoring opportunity.
Despite having the numerical advantage, Mexico looked bereft of ideas as they struggled to break through the Bafana Bafana.
However, Raul Jimenez doubled the lead for Mexico – his first World Cup goal in the 67th minute with a brilliant header off a measured cross by Roberto Alvarado from the right flank.
South Africa resorted to long-range strikes having struggled to get touches in Mexico’s box with the introduction of Themba Zwane and Oswin Appollis.
Zwane’s night came to an end shortly after as he was sent off after he whacked his hand to the face of a Mexican player in attacking play.
Mexico’s captain Cesar Minutes also received a red card in added time of the 90 after he fouled a player through on goal.
The football on the night left a lot to be desired but the host wouldn’t mind with maximum points in the bag.
