Mexico 2-0 South Africa result: Raul Jimenez on target as 10-man co-hosts make winning start against nine-man Bafana Bafana

Raul Jimenez scored his first World Cup goal, as co-hosts Mexico beat nine-man South Africa 2-0 in the opening match of the 2026 tournament.

Julian Quinones opened the scoring for Javier Aguirre's side, who made a winning start at the Azteca Stadium.

Jimenez, making his first start at the finals, called Ronwen Williams into action with a first-time shot from Israel Reyes' fifth-minute cross.

However, the South Africa goalkeeper was helpless four minutes later as Yaya Sithole was caught in possession, and Quinones drilled the ball home from just inside the box.

Williams did well to claw away Jimenez's deft flick towards the far corner later in the half, while Quinones' precise effort came back off the post.

Bafana Bafana were reduced to 10 men four minutes into the second half, with Sithole shown a straight red card for a last-man foul on Brian Gutierrez.

Mexico capitalised on their numerical advantage with a second goal in the 67th minute, as Jimenez nodded home Roberto Alvarado's deep cross from close range.

Alvarado was also involved in a tangle with Themba Zwane in the 84th minute, resulting in the South Africa substitute receiving a red card for violent conduct following a VAR review.

Mexico did not finish at full-strength either, as Cesar Montes was dismissed in stoppage time for a last-man foul on Khuliso Mudau, but it did not take the shine off an important victory for the tournament co-hosts.

South Africa are back at the World Cup for the first time since they hosted the tournament in 2010.

However, those early nerves were evident, and led to a mistake from Sithole, which gifted the opening goal to Quinones.

Things did not improve for Bafana Bafana or Sithole, who was dismissed early in the second half for a last-man foul on Gutierrez.

Jimenez's header put the game beyond Broos' side, while their misery was compounded later on when substitute Zwane was sent off following a tangle with Alvarado.

Not only is the pressure on South Africa to get a result in their second game against Czechia, they must now do so without two of their players.

Mexico are off and running at their third World Cup finals, while they also managed to banish their opening-match hoodoo.

No team has contested the first match at a World Cup more times than El Tri (eight), though they had failed to win any of those previous matches.

Quinones, fresh from an impressive season in the Saudi Pro League, carried on that momentum with a confident finish to put them in early control.

The same player struck the post before half-time, while Sithole's red card early in the second half gave the co-hosts breathing space.

They took full advantage with Jimenez finally breaking his World Cup duck on his first start at the finals, still showing tremendous instincts at the age of 35.

The only blot on Mexico's book was the late red card shown to Montes, who will now miss their second Group A fixture against South Korea next week.

This is the first World Cup game to see three straight red cards since 1998.

Ironically, one of the teams that day was also South Africa, in their draw with Denmark.

The co-hosts have a man sent off, with Montes given his marching orders!

The centre-half takes out Mudau, who was threatening to advance into the penalty area.

It was a tactical foul, but with no cover behind him, the referee sends him off for a last-man offence.

That's what has been indicated by the fourth official.

Although, South Africa will just want the final whistle to be blown as soon as possible.

Already two goals down, South Africa are now two men down as well.

They are the first nation to be shown two red cards in an opening World Cup match since Cameroon during their shock 1-0 win over reigning champions Argentina in 1990.

Who could forget THAT Benjamin Massing challenge on Claudio Caniggia?!

Bafana Bafana are down to nine men!

The referee is sent to his pitchside monitor to review an incident, which saw Zwane pull the face of Alvarado as they became tangled on the edge of the Mexico box.

After review, the referee deems to situation to constitute violent conduct, and shows a red card to the South Africa substitute.

Quinones, the scorer of the tournament's opening goal, is given a well-earned rest, with Vega replacing him for the final 10 minutes.

A couple of changes for both sides.

Alvarez comes on to earn his 100th cap for Mexico in place of Lira, while Gonzalez replaces Jimenez.

Modiba and Rayners are withdrawn by South Africa, replaced by Makgopa and Appollis.

Moments later, Sibisi catches Quinones, who just nipped the ball ahead of him.

The South Africa defender goes into the book.

Jimenez times his run to latch onto a neat ball, before going down in the box under Sibisi's challenge.

However, it was strong defending from the latter, and the referee quickly waves away any penalty appeal.

Four World Cups and seven appearances later, Jimenez is a scorer on his first start at the finals!

The veteran striker has his first World Cup goal, and the co-hosts have breathing space!

It's a lovely move by El Tri, with Quinones taking the ball in his stride and spreading the play out to Alvarado on the right.

The latter swings the ball into the box, where Jimenez is completely unmarked to power a header past Williams from close range.

Aguirre shuffles his pack heading into the final quarter of the game.

The hardworking Gutierrez and Fidalgo are given well-earned breathers.

Replacing them are Chavez and 17-year-old Mora, who is the youngest player to appear at the 2026 finals.