South Africa fall to Mexico in dramatic World Cup opener

South Africa began their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico at a packed Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The match made history for its disciplinary record, with Bafana Bafana finishing with nine men and Mexico reduced to ten in the closing moments.

Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio issued three red cards, marking the first time a tournament-opening match had produced three dismissals. South Africa's Sphephelo “Yaya” Sithole was dismissed for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, while substitute Themba Zwane was sent off following a VAR review for striking Roberto Alvarado. Mexico's César Montes received a late red card in stoppage time.

By comparison, only four red cards were shown during the entire Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Mexico struck early when Julián Quiñones capitalised on a loose ball following Sithole's failed tackle and fired past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in the ninth minute.

Quiñones nearly doubled the lead before half-time, but his close-range shot agonisingly bounced off the post.

South Africa's situation worsened just five minutes into the second half when Sithole fouled Brian Gutiérrez and was sent off, leaving the team a man down. Veteran striker Raúl Jiménez, 35, then sealed the victory with a powerful header from Alvarado's cross, scoring his first World Cup goal and showing visible emotion on the pitch.

Late in the match, Zwane's red card reduced South Africa to nine players, while Montes' dismissal for a foul on Khuliso Mudau left Mexico with ten men.

Despite the defeat, South Africa, who returned to the World Cup finals for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010, will aim to regroup ahead of their next Group A fixture against Czechia on June 18 in Atlanta.

(Story compiled with input from agencies)