Mexico beat nine-man South Africa 2-0 in World Cup opener

MEXICO CITY: Mexico opened the World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa on Thursday in a Group A match at the Azteca Stadium that featured three red cards.

The co-hosts took control early and went ahead through Julian Quinones, before Raul Jimenez added a second midway through the second half. South Africa finished with nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off, while Mexico's Cesar Montes was also dismissed late on.

The result gave Mexico their first victory in a World Cup opening match after seven previous attempts. The game also marked the start of the first 48-team edition of the tournament and the first World Cup to be staged across three countries. It was also the first World Cup opener to produce three red cards.

Fast start for hosts

Mexico began on the front foot after an opening ceremony featuring Shakira and Burna Boy performing the World Cup anthem. Raul Jimenez threatened early with a volley that was tipped by South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

The opening goal followed soon after when Erik Lira won the ball near the edge of South Africa's penalty area after dispossessing Sithole. Lira then fed Quinones, who cut inside and finished low past Williams. Lira had been selected in central midfield ahead of captain Edson Alvarez.

South Africa, who had drawn 1-1 with Mexico in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, struggled to get into the contest as Mexico maintained the upper hand in a stadium long associated with major World Cup moments, including Diego Maradona's 1986 exploits and Brazil's 1970 triumph led by Pele.

Red cards shape the contest

The match turned further in Mexico's favour early in the second half when Sithole was sent off. The dismissal came after Brian Gutierrez drove toward the penalty area and was brought down by a tackle from behind by the South African midfielder.

Although the home crowd grew restless as Mexico failed to quickly use their numerical advantage, the pressure eventually told. Jimenez scored his first World Cup goal with a powerful downward header from a Roberto Alvarado cross.

The closing stages brought more disciplinary trouble. Zwane was sent off after a VAR review for a supposed arm to the face, before Montes received a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Historic opening day

The match was played amid a festive atmosphere at the Azteca, though protests in Mexico City had threatened to disrupt movement around the capital, prompting many supporters to arrive near the stadium nearly seven hours before kickoff.

The Azteca became the first stadium to host three World Cup opening matches, while the fixture launched a tournament that will include a record 104 matches. Mexico's winning start also strengthened their early position in a group that includes South Korea and the Czech Republic.

After the match, midfielder Erik Lira spoke about the significance of the occasion. "It's a moment I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. The only thing I felt was that everything it took to get here had been worth it," he said.