Sports News

Mexico beat nine-man South Africa 2-0 at the Azteca to open the 48-team World Cup

Co-host Mexico opened the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June. EWN in South Africa reported that Julian Quinones scored in the 9th minute with a low shot past Ronwen Williams and Raul Jimenez headed in Roberto Alvarado's cross in the 67th. The crowd was a capacity 80,824.

Three players were sent off. EWN said South Africa's Sphephelo Sithole went in the 49th minute for bringing down Brian Gutierrez as he ran through on goal, and Themba Zwane in the 84th after a VAR review for swinging an arm into Alvarado's face. Mexico's Cesar Montes was sent off late on. Hugo Broos's side finished with nine men. EWN described the Azteca as “the only stadium to host games at three different World Cups.”

PBS NewsHour placed it in the bigger story: a 48-team tournament, the largest ever, shared by Mexico, Canada and the United States. Newsfirst in Sri Lanka called it an “explosive” opener and said South Africa now had to recover in their remaining Group A matches.

How each outlet framed it

• EWN — the South African view: Bafana Bafana's two red cards and a painful start.
• PBS NewsHour — the event: the opening game of the largest World Cup in history.
• Newsfirst — an Asian roundup: Mexico's strong statement and the Group A picture.

Where the numbers differ: EWN timed Jimenez's header in the 67th minute, while PBS NewsHour gave the 66th.