Following a dazzling opening ceremony, Mexico kicked off the World Cup with a win against South Africa, a match that generated considerable buzz due to three red cards.
Star striker Raul Jimenez beamed, forming a heart shape with his hands for his loved ones as Mariachi music filled the legendary Azteca Stadium. Many Mexican national team players dropped to their knees in prayer after the successful start. On a memorable football night in Mexico City, featuring three red cards, the host nation successfully commenced the biggest World Cup in history.
After a spectacular opening ceremony where Latin Queen Shakira captivated the 80,000 spectators, ‘El Tri’ ultimately defeated a South Africa team reduced to nine men, with a deserved 2-0 (1-0) victory. Julian Quinones, who plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Qadisiya, capitalized on a costly error by South African midfielder Yaya Sithole in the 9th minute to score the first goal of the 23rd World Cup. Raul Jimenez (67th minute) added to the lead with a header in the second half.
Sithole became the unfortunate figure of the match, receiving a red card for a professional foul (50th minute). His teammate Themba Zwane was also sent off six minutes before the final whistle for violent conduct, and Mexican defender Cesar Montes (90th+2) received a red card for a similar offense.
Thanks to this much-desired victory, a rematch of the 2010 World Cup opener (which ended 1-1 in Johannesburg), Mexico, one of the three host nations alongside the USA and Canada for this first 48-team World Cup, can now look forward to the knockout stages.
Even before kickoff, pop superstar Shakira had the fans in the iconic arena, which previously hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cups, dancing. As the highlight of a vibrant opening ceremony featuring Latin rhythms, national-colored fireworks, and an oversized World Cup trophy, she performed the World Cup song ‘Dai Dai’ with Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
«An incredible atmosphere, the energy is electric,» gushed DFB Sporting Director Rudi Völler, who had traveled specifically for the event, speaking to ZDF microphones. After Italian star tenor Andrea Bocelli also sang, FIFA President Gianni Infantino held up the real World Cup trophy to the crowd in the presence of Mexican Hollywood star Salma Hayek. The games could finally begin.
While the arena buzzed with football celebrations, tumultuous scenes unfolded outside. Following days of large-scale protests, including by the teachers’ union, thousands of fans thronged the fan zone in the famous Zócalo square on Thursday. As reported by the French news agency AFP, metal barriers erected in recent days due to protests had hindered access. Clashes between demonstrators and police also occurred near the stadium.
Inside the Azteca Stadium, the Mexicans appeared inspired from the outset by the deafening crowd. Striker Jimenez (5th minute) tested South Africa’s goalkeeper Ronwen Williams early. Four minutes later, Williams was powerless when Sithole lost the ball at the edge of his own penalty area to Érik Lira. Quinones finished coolly through Williams’ legs.
Offensively, the South Africans offered little, causing the match to lose its intensity. Mexico picked up the pace again just before halftime, with Jimenez (42nd minute) being denied by Williams, and Quinones hitting the post moments later.
After the break, South Africa’s defense proved far from solid. Goalkeeper Williams (46th minute) directly played the ball into the feet of Mexico’s Alvaro Fidalgo at the edge of the box, but the favorite did not capitalize on the gift. Shortly after, Sithole brought down the accelerating Brian Gutierrez as the last man, putting South Africa under even more pressure. With a numerical advantage, Mexico sealed the win, with Jimenez’s headed goal even prompting boxing superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to leap from his seat.