South Africa

FIFA #54 · 2ndin Group A · 0-0-1

Ugh, no.

South Africa lost to Mexico

0-0-1 0 – 2

1-0-0

FT · Thu, Jun 11

Match Details

Estadio Banorte (Mexico City) · 80,824 fans · FOX, Telemundo, Peacock View tournament bracket →

Highlights

Mexico kick off World Cup with 2-0 win over South Africa amid three red cards

Mexico's misery in World Cup opening games was finally ended as they secured a 2-0 win over South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in a match featuring three red cards.

Recap via ESPN

1:04 Keller: Mexico 'could have set the tone' for the group

1:56 Gomez on South Africa's red cards: 'I have no idea what got into them'

0:43 Laurens: South Africa 'need to improve massively' to advance

0:51 Mexico fans celebrate opening goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Clips play on ESPN

Commentary

·Match ends, Mexico 2, South Africa 0.
90'+8'Second Half ends, Mexico 2, South Africa 0.
90'+7'Foul by Jesús Gallardo (Mexico).
90'+7'Khuliso Mudau (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+2'César Montes (Mexico) is shown the red card.
90'+2'Foul by César Montes (Mexico).
90'+2'Khuliso Mudau (South Africa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'Fourth official has announced 7 minutes of added time.
90'Edson Álvarez (Mexico) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'Foul by Mbekezeli Mbokazi (South Africa).
89'Armando González (Mexico).
89'Mbekezeli Mbokazi (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Line Score

	1	2	T
RSA	0	0	0
MEX	1	1	2

Match Leaders

South Africa

MM Mbekezeli Mbokazi · 1Total Shots
RW Ronwen Williams · 2Saves
IO Ime Okon · 11Defensive Interventions
IO Ime Okon · 45Accurate Passes

Mexico

JQ Julián Quiñones · 1Goals
JQ Julián Quiñones · 5Total Shots
RR Raúl Rangel · 2Saves
JG Jesús Gallardo · 8Defensive Interventions
JV Johan Vásquez · 75Accurate Passes

FIFA World Cup Standings

	Team	GP	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Mexico	3	3	0	0	+6	9
2	South Africa	3	1	1	1	-1	4
3	South Korea	3	1	0	2	-1	3
4	Czechia	3	0	1	2	-4	1

Key Events

90'+2'César Montes (Mexico) is shown the red card.

84'Themba Zwane (South Africa) is shown the red card for violent conduct.

79'Substitution, Mexico. Alexis Vega replaces Julián Quiñones.

77'Substitution, South Africa. Oswin Appollis replaces Aubrey Modiba.

76'Substitution, South Africa. Evidence Makgopa replaces Iqraam Rayners.

76'Substitution, Mexico. Armando González replaces Raúl Jiménez.

76'Substitution, Mexico. Edson Álvarez replaces Érik Lira.

74'Nkosinathi Sibisi (South Africa) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

67'Goal! Mexico 2, South Africa 0. Raúl Jiménez (Mexico) header from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Roberto Alvarado with a cross.

66'Substitution, Mexico. Gilberto Mora replaces Álvaro Fidalgo.

66'Substitution, Mexico. Luis Chávez replaces Brian Gutiérrez.

61'Substitution, South Africa. Themba Zwane replaces Jayden Adams.

56'Substitution, South Africa. Thalente Mbatha replaces Lyle Foster.

49'Yaya Sithole (South Africa) is shown the red card.

23'Brian Gutiérrez (Mexico) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

17'Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

9'Goal! Mexico 1, South Africa 0. Julián Quiñones (Mexico) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Érik Lira.