Mexico beat nine-man South Africa in World Cup opener
Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez scored as co-host Mexico began Group A with a 2-0 win at Estadio Azteca, AFP reported.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
2 min read
Mexico began its World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa on Thursday, giving the co-hosts an opening Group A victory at Estadio Azteca, AFP reported. Julian Quinones scored the tournament’s first goal before Raul Jimenez added the second against a South Africa team that finished with nine men.
According to AFP, the match launched the biggest edition of the World Cup at a stadium with a long place in the competition’s history. Estadio Azteca became the only venue to stage matches at three different World Cups, AFP reported.
Mexico went ahead in the ninth minute, shortly after pre-match fireworks had filled the air with red, green and white smoke, AFP reported. Quinones won the ball after Sphephelo Sithole was caught trying to play out from the back, then drove a low shot through the legs of South Africa goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams.
AFP reported that the early goal fed an already loud home crowd in the 80,824-capacity stadium. South Africa coach Hugo Broos had warned his players before the game about the pressure of the setting, and Mexico’s fans responded to completed passes in the opening minutes with chants of “Ole,” according to AFP.
South Africa struggled to threaten Mexico’s opening-day celebrations, AFP reported. Its task became harder in the 49th minute when Sithole was sent off after bringing down Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez as Gutierrez went clear on goal.
Mexico turned the extra space into a second goal in the 67th minute. AFP reported that a counterattack ended with Roberto Alvarado crossing to Jimenez, the Wolverhampton Wanderers forward, who headed in at the far post.
South Africa’s discipline broke again late in the match. Themba Zwane was dismissed in the 84th minute after a VAR review found he had thrown an arm into Alvarado’s face, AFP reported.
Mexico also ended the game with 10 men after defender Cesar Montes received a red card near the end, according to AFP. Montes was punished for a foul on Khulisa Mudau on the edge of the penalty area.
The result gave Mexico a smooth start to its attempt to advance from Group A, AFP reported. South Africa left the opener without a goal and with two players sent off, a costly beginning to its tournament.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.