The 2026 World Cup is up and running, and the opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca delivered everything but calm. Co-hosts Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in front of a packed house — and saw three red cards brandished along the way.
Julián Quiñones broke the deadlock in the ninth minute, and Raúl Jiménez doubled the lead with a second-half header — his 46th international goal and his first across three World Cups. But the night turned chaotic: South Africa finished with nine men after two dismissals, before a late red for Mexico defender César Montes.
For the hosts, history of a kinder sort: it was Mexico's eighth time playing a World Cup opener, and their first ever win in one. The Azteca, hosting World Cup matches across three different tournaments, lived up to its billing as the tournament's spiritual home.
Next up on our radar: the Caribbean's big moments. Follow every result on the World Cup schedule and read up on the stars to watch.