Mexico 2-0 South Africa: the 2026 World Cup opener breaks a historic curse (and sets a grim record)

Quiñones and Jiménez give Mexico their first opening-match win in 8 attempts. Three red cards, a packed Azteca and a surprise in goal: everything that happened and what it means for your sweepstake.

The biggest World Cup in history is under way. The first of 104 matches was played yesterday, 11 June 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and ended in a home win: Mexico 2-0 South Africa, in the Group A opener. But behind a seemingly comfortable scoreline lies one of the most eventful opening matches in memory: two goals, three red cards, and a major surprise in the Mexican goal.

Quiñones and Jiménez: the goals that decided the first match of the 2026 World Cup

Mexico left no room for surprises. Julián Quiñones opened the scoring before the 9th minute, capitalising on a cheap turnover by South Africa in their own half. With the Azteca still on its feet celebrating, El Tri were already ahead and had shaken off the nerves of an opening night that always carries weight.

The second came in the 67th minute, after the hour mark, finished by Raúl Jiménez on his return to a World Cup. The Fulham striker, who suffered a fractured skull in 2020 and came close to leaving football altogether, put the game to bed and experienced one of the most emotional moments of the opening day. 2-0 and a sense of total control.

Three red cards: the darkest record in an opening match

If the scoreline suggested calm, the referee's notebook told a different story. The match ended with THREE dismissals — two for South Africa and one for Mexico — the most red cards ever seen in a World Cup opening match. Sphephelo 'Yaya' Sithole was shown red at the start of the second half, Themba Zwane followed after a VAR review, and then deep into stoppage time Mexican centre-back César 'Cachorro' Montes completed the trio. South Africa ended their World Cup debut with just nine men on the pitch.

The surprise of the night: Ochoa, the record sixth World Cup... from the bench

Everyone expected to see Guillermo Ochoa between the posts. At 40 years old, the goalkeeper was called up to play his SIXTH World Cup — a figure he shares only with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He made the squad after the first-choice keeper, Luis Ángel Malagón, ruptured his Achilles tendon. But Javier Aguirre had a surprise in store: Raúl Rangel was named as starting goalkeeper, and Ochoa watched history from the bench. His record stands, but the debut went to the next generation.

The Azteca makes history for the third time

With over 80,000 spectators and a packed house, the Estadio Azteca became the only stadium on the planet to have hosted the opening match of THREE different World Cups: 1970, 1986 and 2026. Before kick-off, Shakira lit up the stage in an opening ceremony that officially fired the starting gun on the 48-team tournament.

What this 2-0 tells us for your sweepstake

Beyond the spectacle, the first match offers useful lessons if you're playing the World Cup sweepstake. Three quick takeaways:

• The host nation that opens with a win tends to build momentum: Mexico lead Group A and start with a psychological edge and a positive goal difference.
• Watch out for red cards: a match with several dismissals distorts results and rewards those who go for clear scorelines (1-0, 2-0) rather than the easy draw.
• South Africa arrive dented in morale and with suspensions looming for their upcoming matches — a factor to keep in mind for your Group A predictions.

What was the result of the first match of the 2026 World Cup?

Mexico 2-0 South Africa, played on 11 June 2026 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Group A opener. Goals from Julián Quiñones (9') and Raúl Jiménez (67').

Why didn't Ochoa play in the opening match?

Guillermo Ochoa was called up for his sixth World Cup, but Javier Aguirre chose to start Raúl Rangel in goal. Ochoa began the match on the bench despite the injury to Luis Ángel Malagón, which had opened the door to his return.

Make your picks before the next match

There are 103 matches still to come: 103 chances to prove you know more than your mates. On QuiniPrats you can set up your 2026 World Cup sweepstake in two minutes, invite the group and predict every matchday. The first game has already sprung surprises; don't miss the ones ahead.

Images: Estadio Azteca (Aalizul, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Julián Quiñones (Agencia de Noticias ANDES, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons); Raúl Jiménez (Timmy96, CC0, Wikimedia Commons).