Mexico startedWorld Cup 2026 In winning style, but it was red cards, not goals, that defined one of the most chaotic opening matches in the tournament’s history.
Goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez gave the hosts a 2-0 win at Estadio Azteca, but the result was not the headline coming out of the opener.
Three consecutive red cards in the second half left the match finishing ten to nine, the first World Cup opening match in history to see three sending offs.
Quiñones opened the scoring in the closest time to a World Cup opener since Philipp Lahm’s goal for Germany against Costa Rica after six minutes in 2006.
He spoke after that, and he was happy. He said: “Many things came to my mind, such as celebrating and screaming with joy.”
“I went to the bench to see my teammates because they gave me a lot of confidence. I wanted to feel that happiness with them.”
South African player Siphelo Sithole received a direct red card at the beginning of the second half after removing Brian Gutierrez, who was a master of the goal, which effectively eliminated Bafana Bafana’s hopes of a comeback.
Raul Jiménez then made it 2-0 with a header from close range to spark more Azteca celebrations.
Quiñones praised his veteran strike partner. “We really congratulated him because he gives a lot to the team,” he said.
He added: “Being part of a team is our pride, and it is great that he continues to add goals to his career as a player in our national team.”
Red cards in the main title
Then came the controversy. Cesar Montes received a straight red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity after a clumsy full-body tackle on the South African striker.
Montes will now miss the next group match, and Quiñones did not mince his words. “There were some mistakes that were very costly,” he said frankly. “Firing is something you can avoid.”
The South Africa coach was visibly disappointed in his post-match assessment. “The first red card, I don’t think we have to say anything about it,” he admitted, before shooting Montes off.
“The second red card, I think the Mexican player fouled my player, and that happens, and the referee decides something else, so it’s unfortunate that we have to finish this match with nine men.”
Bruce also insisted his team had not been outplayed. “I think my team played a good game, and at some moments in the game Mexico were desperate, they didn’t know how to find space, so it was all good.
“The only thing that has to be better in the next game is when we have the ball. It wasn’t good today so we have to work on that.”
