(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Mexico Beat South Africa 2-0 in Opening Match of 2026 FIFA World Cup
Mexico made a strong start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the tournament opener at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on Thursday.
Julian Quinones opened the scoring early in the match, giving the co-hosts a dream start in front of a packed home crowd. Veteran striker Raul Jimenez later added a second goal to secure all three points for Mexico in their opening Group A fixture.
South Africa struggled to respond and were reduced to nine players after two red cards during a difficult evening at the iconic stadium.
Mexico controlled the game from the early stages, taking advantage of home support at the historic Estadio Azteca, which is hosting World Cup matches for a record third time.
Opening Ceremony Sets the Stage
The match followed a vibrant opening ceremony featuring international music stars, including Shakira and Burna Boy, who performed the tournament’s official song. The event also included performances from other global artists and a fireworks display inside the stadium.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, featuring an expanded format with 48 teams and 104 matches.
Mexico’s win gives them an early boost in Group A as they aim to progress further in the tournament, while South Africa will look to recover in their upcoming fixtures.
