2026 World Cup opener/ Mexico defeats South Africa amid three red cards in the match
In a record-breaking start to the World Cup, co-hosts Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 at a packed Azteca Stadium, but the match will be remembered for an unprecedented flurry of red cards.
Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio sent off three players the first time a tournament opener has seen any red card, let alone three.
South Africa finished with nine men after Yaya Sithole (denying a goalscoring opportunity) and Themba Zwane (slap) were dismissed. Mexico’s Cesar Montes saw red late for a foul.
For context, only four red cards were shown across the entire Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Julian Quinones opened the scoring after nine minutes, and veteran striker Raul Jimenez tears streaming after surviving a life-threatening skull fracture in 2020 headed home his first World Cup goal at 35.
Seventeen-year-old Gilberto Mora became the tournament’s youngest player as a substitute.
Mexico, hosting for the third time, celebrated a perfect start despite the late red card.
South Africa, appearing in their first finals since 2010, left with nine men and a heavy defeat.
