Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup at Estadio Azteca, marking the tournament’s return to Mexico 40 years after the country last hosted, according to the report. The win made Mexico the first nation to host three FIFA World Cups, an occasion that drew an emotional response from fans in the stadium.
The atmosphere at the Azteca was festive and highly charged. Fans launched thousands of giveaway paper sombreros into the air before kickoff, and many were moved when the Mexican national anthem played, the report said. Music blared after the final whistle and jubilant supporters hugged and cheered throughout the stands and concourses.
Julián Quiñones opened the scoring in the ninth minute, and Raúl Jiménez added a second-half goal that all but sealed the result, the account states. The hosts managed the match through much of the second half, maintaining a lead that allowed them to control possession and tempo.
The second half also featured significant disciplinary action, with three red cards shown: two to South Africa and one to Mexico starting defender César Montes, according to the report. Montes’ absence leaves his place in Mexico’s next group game against South Korea uncertain.
The match carried historical resonance. Javier Aguirre, Mexico’s coach, had been a player when Mexico last hosted in 1986, when the national team reached the quarterfinals — a finish matched in 1970 and long regarded as the country’s best World Cup outcomes, the report noted. The account also recalled Mexico’s stretch of six consecutive round-of-16 exits from 1994 through 2018 and a group-stage exit in 2022.
The victory offered a hopeful moment for supporters and a sentimental start to the tournament on home soil. Observers in the stands included a fan wearing a knockoff shirt reading ‘World Cup Legacy 86-26,’ underscoring the sense of continuity fans were celebrating, according to the report.
