Mexico opened its World Cup with authority: 2-0 against South Africa in a packed Azteca
Goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez for a calm debut for the Tri, who dominated the opening match of the 2026 World Cup at the Estadio Azteca from start to finish.
The 2026 World Cup is now a reality, and Mexico opened it in the best possible way: 2-0 against South Africa in a packed Estadio Azteca, in the celebration the opening match deserved. The Tri left no doubts and claimed the first three points in Group A.
The story took shape early. In the 9 minutes, Julián Quiñones showed up to turn in Lira’s cross and make it 1-0, sparking the Azteca. The early goal gave Mexico exactly what it wanted: time, space, and a South Africa forced to abandon its plan.
From then on, the home side ran the show. With the ball and with ideas, Javier Aguirre’s team controlled the tempo and came closest to the second goal, against a South Africa that barely threatened.
The killer blow arrived when the match called for it. In the 67', Raúl Jiménez finished off Alvarado’s cross for 2-0 and the release of a night Mexico controlled without breaking a sweat.
In the closing stages, the going got tougher for the Bafana Bafana, who suffered more than expected in their World Cup debut. Mexico, meanwhile, is already thinking about what comes next: it started at home, won like a contender, and left the feeling that it has enough to inspire an entire country.
Follow all the matches, stats, and reports from the 2026 World Cup at fulbo.studio.
