Co-hosts Mexico dominated a clueless nine-man South Africa side, beating the Bafana Bafana 2-0 in the opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday.

The tournament kicked off with a pre-match ceremony showcasing Mexican culture. There were also musical performances from J Balvin, as well as Shakira and Burna Boy, who jointly performed the official FIFA World Cup song Dai Dai.

It took Mexico just nine minutes to take the lead, capitalising on a defensive error by midfielder Sphephelo Sithole, with Julian Quinones firing home between the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Quinones continued from where he left off with his club Al Qadsiah last season, scoring 37 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions. Thirty-three of those goals came in the Saudi Pro League, earning him the golden boot.

He almost had his second goal of the night in the 42nd minute, but his shot struck the post.

South Africa did not register their first shot on target until first-half added time, when Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s attempt from close range was saved by Raul Rangel.

Bafana Bafana’s woes were further compounded four minutes into the second half after Sithole was sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.

Subsequently, Raul Jimenez doubled the lead for Mexico with a header from Roberto Alvarado’s cross into the 18-yard box in the 67th minute.

The match became a red card fest in the closing stages after Themba Zwane was sent off for violent conduct, reducing South Africa to nine men, before Mexico’s Cesar Montes was also shown a red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.

Only four red cards were shown at the entire 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but the opening match of this tournament has already produced three, the first time this has happened in the history of the competition.