MexicovsSouth Africa

Result

Mexico pressed South Africa into the tournament's first mistake — Erik Lira picked Sphephelo Sithole's pocket on the edge of the box and Julián Quiñones finished inside nine minutes — and controlled the rest: 61% of the ball, 16 shots to 3, and Raúl Jiménez's thumping 67th-minute header from Roberto Alvarado's cross, his first goal in three World Cups. The other story was discipline: a straight red for Sithole as last man (49'), a post-VAR red for substitute Themba Zwane (84'), and a stoppage-time dismissal for Mexico captain César Montes — three reds, the most an opening World Cup match has ever seen. Mexico top Group A on 3 points; South Africa sit bottom of Group A on 0 points — the table as it stood after matchday 1.

Mexico 4-1-4-15-3-2 South Africa

Mexico

South Africa

Julián Quiñones9'

Raúl Jiménez67'

Brian Gutiérrez23'

Nkosinathi Sibisi

César Montes90+2'

Sphephelo Sithole49'

Themba Zwane84'

61%Possession39%

16Shots3

4On target2

2Saves2

3Corners1

467Passes completed272

90%Pass accuracy81%

11Tackles14

20Touches in box2

Substitutions

Gilberto Morafor Brian Gutiérrezat 65'

Thalente Mbathafor Lyle Fosterat 56'

Luis Chávezfor Álvaro Fidalgoat 65'

Themba Zwanefor Jayden Adams

Armando Gonzálezfor Raúl Jiménezat 76'

Evidence Makgopa

Edson Álvarezfor Erik Liraat 76'

Alexis Vegafor Julián Quiñonesat 79'

Attendance 80,824