The long-awaited kick-off of the 23rd edition of the World Cup took place this Thursday, June 11, at the mythical Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. In front of over 80,000 fervent spectators, Mexico, co-host of the event alongside the United States and Canada, lived up to its reputation as a giant of the opening rounds. By winning the opening match against South Africa (2-0), El Tri gave its people a dream evening, marked by goals, suspense, and a true display of disciplinary fireworks.
Just as in 1986, when Mexico opened its home World Cup with a victory against Belgium (2-1), the pressure did not overwhelm the Mexican national team players. Quite the opposite: they transcended it.
Shakira, Bocelli, and the Azteca Party
Before kick-off, a spectacular opening ceremony electrified the Azteca Stadium. For about twenty minutes, the world’s cultures mingled in a living tableau. Dancers in indigenous costumes with immense feather headdresses, accompanied by pre-Hispanic drums, opened the ball, followed by Mexican groups Maná and Los Ángeles Azules, Venezuelan Danny Ocean, Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin, and Hispano-Mexican singer Belinda.
But it was the undisputed queen of the evening, Shakira, who set the stands on fire. With sunglasses, a bright yellow bodysuit, and a purple skirt, the Colombian first reminded the 80,000 spectators of her global 2010 anthem, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), before unveiling Dai Dai, the new official song of the 2026 World Cup, in a virtual duet with Nigerian star Burna Boy, blending afrobeat and Caribbean rhythms.
To close the show, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed DNA, the competition’s official anthem, produced by French DJ David Guetta – a bold mix of opera and electronic music that suspended the moment. Then, the 22 players of the opening match took to the pitch.
The Scenario: A 2010 Remake That Favors Mexico
This Mexico vs. South Africa match was a remake of the 2010 World Cup opener, which ended in a draw (1-1) at Soccer City in Johannesburg. This time, there was no suspense: Mexico imposed its law from the very first moments.
9th minute: Lira causes panic, Quiñones opens the scoring
The die was cast very early. South African goalkeeper Rowen Williams, under pressure, attempted a risky clearance. Mexican midfielder Erik Lira anticipated, intercepted the ball in front of Sphephelo Sithole, and delicately slid it to Julián Quiñones. The attacker only had to push the ball into the back of the net. 1-0. The Azteca exploded. This was the first goal of the 2026 World Cup.
20th, 42nd: Quiñones, man of the first act
Quiñones was everywhere. He tried his luck from distance in the 20th minute, forcing Williams into a difficult save. Then, just before halftime (42nd minute), he hit the right post on a solo run. The South Africans, organized in a 5-3-2 formation, endured but held on. However, a spanner was about to be thrown into their works.
Red cards galore: a match that explodes
The second half began with a major turning point. In the 50th minute, Sphephelo Sithole, already at fault for the first goal, committed a blatant late foul on a Mexican midfielder. The referee did not hesitate: second yellow card, then red. South Africa was reduced to ten men.
The South African block, disciplined until then, began to crack. Spaces opened up. In the 67th minute, Roberto Alvarado, with a pinpoint cross from the right, placed the ball perfectly onto the head of Raúl Jiménez. The veteran striker only had to nod it home. 2-0. The stadium was in a trance.
But the match, already physical, descended into chaos in the final minutes. In the 84th minute, South African Themba Zwwane, who had come on in the 61st minute for Jayden Adams, was in turn sent off for violent conduct. The Bafana Bafana finished the match with nine players. And to top it all off, in added time, a Mexican player (César Montes, central defender) also received a direct red card for a dangerous tackle. Final tally: three ejections (two for South Africa, one for Mexico) and a match that will go down in the annals for its intensity, both technical and nervous.
What to remember for the rest of the tournament
With this victory (2-0), Mexico temporarily takes the lead in Group A and ideally launches its world campaign. Mexican supporters, who have been holding their breath since 2018 (round of 16 elimination) and 2022 (group stage elimination), can finally rejoice.
South Africa, for its part, must absolutely regroup during its next match to prevent its qualification hopes from vanishing. The Bafana Bafana showed worrying defensive flaws, but also a fighting spirit despite being outnumbered.
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