MEXICO CITY — Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez helped Mexico make an exuberant start to the World Cup on Thursday, scoring a goal each in a 2-0 win over South Africa in the opening match of the tournament.
With a capacity crowd of 80,824 watching at Azteca Stadium, co-host Mexico started the largest World Cup tournament in history by getting goals in each half while three red cards were shown — two for South Africa and one for Mexico.
Quiñones, who was the top scorer in the Saudi league this season, gave Mexico the lead in the ninth minute. Jiménez added the second goal on a header in the 66th.
South Africa players Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were both given red cards, forcing the team to finish the match with only nine players. Mexico defender César Montes was then given a red card in injury time.
With his 46th international goal, and his first in three World Cups, Jiménez tied Jared Borgetti for second place for the Mexican national team. He is six goals shy of leader Javier “Chicharito” Hernández.
Quiñones, a 29-year-old forward who was born in Colombia, was one of six starting players who made their World Cup debut for El Tri.
Mexico, coming off a first-round exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has three points in Group A and will next play South Korea next Thursday in Guadalajara.
South Africa will play the Czech Republic on the same day in Atlanta.
This year’s World Cup has 48 teams, the most in history. It is being held in Mexico, Canada and the United States.
Related Posts:
- Mexico opens 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa Uncategorized MEXICO CITY — Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez helped Mexico make an exuberant start to the World Cup on Thursday, scoring a goal each in a 2-0 win over South Africa in the opening match of the tournament. With a capacity crowd of 80,824 watching at Azteca Stadium, co-host Mexico…
- Mexico boss says they ‘must break’ 94-year World Cup curse against South Africa Sports Javier Aguirre is battling history in Mexico’s World Cup opener (Picture: Getty Images) Mexico play on the opening day of a World Cup for the eighth time on Thursday night and they are still looking to raise the curtain for the tournament with a win. One of the three host…
- See photos of the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City News MEXICO CITY (AP) — The largest World Cup in tournament history kicked off Thursday with co-host Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match. Amid escalating protests and social tensions in Mexico’s capital, more than 80,000 fans were making their way to Mexico City Stadium — better known as Azteca Stadium. The iconic…
- Iran’s World Cup players wear pins for victims of deadly strike on school as they arrive in Mexico News TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — Iran’s World Cup team arrived in Mexico wearing lapel pins highlighting the victims of a deadly missile strike on an elementary school at the start of the war in the Mideast. The players wore gold-colored pins with the number “168” on their jackets when getting off…
- World Cup what to know: Mexico kicks off a supersized, 48-team tournament News By DAVID BRANDT, AP Sports Writer After years of preparation, a supersized World Cup has finally arrived. This year’s tournament — which is hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico — was expanded to 48 teams that will play in 16 stadiums in a record 104 matches over the 39-day…
(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)