Mexico sweep South Africa 2-0 in chaotic World Cup opener with three red cards at the Azteca

Mexico opened their home World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa at the Azteca Stadium on Thursday, but the Group A curtain-raiser will be remembered as much for its three red cards as for the goals that sealed it.

Julian Quinones broke the deadlock early, capitalising after Erik Lira — preferred in midfield over captain Edson Alvarez — robbed Sphephelo Sithole on the edge of his own box and fed the forward, who danced inside before drilling a low finish beneath Ronwen Williams. Raul Jimenez had already tested Williams with a volley from 12 yards before the opener, and he went close again before half-time, wafting at an inswinging cross to draw a fine save. Quinones also struck the post from close range, and Brian Gutierrez squandered a clear chance, leaving Mexico’s dominance unfinished at the break.

The second half brought more of the same — and then the flashpoints. Sithole, already on thin ice, was shown a straight red card for a clumsy tackle from behind on Gutierrez as the winger surged towards the box. Mexico’s numerical advantage finally told when Jimenez powered a downward header past Williams from a Roberto Alvarado cross to score his first World Cup goal and put the result beyond doubt.

The closing stages descended into ill temper. South Africa’s Themba Zwane was dismissed following a VAR review for an apparent arm to the face, before Mexico’s Cesar Montes was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity in the dying moments — a sour note to cap an otherwise jubilant evening for the home crowd.

South Africa had offered little in attack throughout, with Lyle Foster’s glanced header wide after 35 minutes their most meaningful contribution before the game unravelled around them. Hugo Broos’s side now face an uphill task in Group A, which also includes South Korea and the Czech Republic.

For Mexico, the victory — however untidy — sets up their path through the group stage on home soil, with the Azteca crowd eventually getting the party they came for.