MEXICO CITY - Co-hosts Mexico launched the FIFA World Cup in emphatic fashion with a 2-0 victory over South Africa in a dramatic opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca on Thursday, setting the tone for the largest tournament in football history.
Julian Quinones etched his name into the record books by scoring the first goal of the tournament after just nine minutes, while veteran striker Raul Jimenez added a second with a well-taken header to secure all three points for the hosts. The historic occasion also marked another milestone for the Estadio Azteca, which became the first stadium in the world to host matches at three separate FIFA World Cups. More than 80,000 fans packed the venue, creating a vibrant atmosphere as the global showpiece officially got underway.
The match was not without controversy, as three players were shown red cards in a fiercely contested encounter. South Africa were reduced to nine men after Sphephelo Sithole was dismissed for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity and Themba Zwane received a straight red card following an altercation. Mexico also finished the game with 10 men after defender Cesar Montes was sent off late in the second half.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre admitted his players had struggled with nerves before settling into the match. “Starting a World Cup always brings pressure and emotion,” Aguirre said. “Some players were overwhelmed by the occasion, but the team remained composed and never lost control of the game.” The victory officially launched the 48-team tournament, jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada. The six-week competition will conclude with the final in New Jersey on July 19. Ahead of kickoff, the opening ceremony featured performances by Colombian pop star Shakira, Nigerian singer Burna Boy and renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, adding glamour to the start of football’s biggest event.
While celebrations filled the stadium, demonstrations outside briefly disrupted the festive mood. Groups including teachers, student activists and relatives of missing persons gathered near the venue, with some protesters clashing with police after breaching security barriers.
Elsewhere, South Korea began their Group A campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Guadalajara. Until the 80th-minute mark, it seemed that the Czechs would punish the Koreans’ wastefulness in front of goal, but substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu notched the decisive goal in a Guadalajara stadium that was far from full. South Korea face Mexico in Guadalajara on June 18 in their next Group A fixture while the Czechs play the South Africans in Atlanta on the same day.
Off the field, FIFA continued to face scrutiny over ticket prices and visa-related issues affecting officials, supporters and participants from several countries. FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the organisation’s policies, insisting ticket prices were competitive by North American sporting standards. Meanwhile, Iran’s squad finally trained in front of media after arriving in Mexico, while the Democratic Republic of Congo’s team was cleared to enter the United States, easing concerns over participation logistics.
