Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Mexico launched its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in impressive fashion on Thursday, defeating South Africa 2-0 in the tournament’s opening match at the historic Azteca Stadium and taking an early step toward the knockout stages.
In a contest that featured three red cards and no shortage of drama, the hosts delivered a dominant performance from start to finish, overwhelming South Africa with relentless pressure and creating enough chances to win by a much wider margin.
An early goal from Julián Quiñones set the tone for the evening before veteran striker Raúl Jiménez sealed the victory in the second half, sending the home crowd into celebration and giving Mexico the perfect start to a tournament carrying enormous expectations.
Early Breakthrough Settles Nerves
With the weight of a nation and the spotlight of the World Cup opener upon them, Mexico wasted little time asserting control.
Quiñones found the net inside the opening 10 minutes, rewarding an energetic start from the hosts and immediately putting South Africa on the back foot. The early breakthrough allowed Mexico to dictate the tempo, pressing aggressively and forcing repeated mistakes from their opponents.
South Africa struggled to establish possession for extended periods as Mexico’s midfield and attacking players continuously closed down space and disrupted any attempts to build momentum.
By halftime, the hosts looked firmly in command despite failing to convert several additional scoring opportunities.
Red Cards Add to the Drama
The match became increasingly heated as disciplinary issues took center stage.
Three players were sent off during the encounter, reducing Mexico to 10 men and South Africa to nine by the final whistle. The dismissals added tension to a game that had already been played at a high intensity, but they did little to alter the overall balance of play.
Even after losing a player, Mexico continued to look the more dangerous side and rarely appeared threatened by a South African team struggling to create meaningful chances.
The late red card shown to a Mexican player was one of the few negatives on an otherwise memorable evening for the hosts.
Jiménez Delivers the Finishing Touch
The decisive moment arrived in the second half when Raúl Jiménez doubled Mexico’s advantage.
The goal capped a strong team performance and provided a particularly emotional moment for the experienced striker, whose career has been marked by resilience and determination following serious injury setbacks in recent years.
With the second goal, any hopes of a South African comeback effectively disappeared as Mexico comfortably managed the closing stages of the match.
One Foot in the Knockout Stage?
The expanded 48-team format means a strong opening result can have a major impact on qualification prospects.
With more third-placed teams advancing to the knockout rounds than in previous World Cups, Mexico’s victory has significantly strengthened its position in the group and could prove crucial in the race for qualification.
While it remains far too early to make definitive predictions, three points in the opening match puts the hosts in an excellent position heading into their remaining group-stage fixtures.
Dark Horse Potential?
Beyond the result itself, Mexico will be encouraged by the manner of the performance.
The hosts combined intensity, organization, and attacking ambition throughout the match, consistently winning possession high up the field and creating a steady stream of scoring opportunities. The final scoreline arguably flattered South Africa, as Mexico could easily have added several more goals.
If they can maintain this level in the matches ahead, Mexico may emerge as one of the surprise contenders of the tournament. While the traditional favorites remain at the forefront of championship discussions, the opening night offered a reminder that the hosts possess the quality and confidence to trouble some of the world’s biggest teams.
For now, however, Mexico’s focus will remain on building upon a near-perfect start to World Cup 2026, one that delivered victory, excitement, and renewed belief among its supporters.
