HighlightsFIFAYouTubeMatch Events
play_arrow1 clip- 9′Mexico, goal:1–0J. Quinones
- 17′South Africa, yellow card:Teboho Mokoena
- 23′Mexico, yellow card:
- Half-time1 – 0
- 49′South Africa, red card:
- 56′South Africa, substitution:T. Mbathaoff
- 61′South Africa, substitution:T. ZwaneoffJ. Adams
- 66′Mexico, substitution:L. Chavezoff
- 66′Mexico, substitution:off
- 67′Mexico, goal:2–0assistR. Alvarado
- 74′South Africa, yellow card:Nkosinathi Sibisi
- 76′Mexico, substitution:offE. Lira
- 76′Mexico, substitution:A. Gonzalezoff
- 76′South Africa, substitution:E. MakgopaoffI. Rayners
- 77′South Africa, substitution:O. AppollisoffA. Modiba
- 79′Mexico, substitution:A. VegaoffJ. Quinones
- 82′South Africa, VAR review:Themba ZwaneCard upgrade
- 84′South Africa, red card:Themba Zwane
- 90+2′Mexico, red card:
- Full-time2 – 0
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Mexico
South Africa
Match report
Mexico see off ten-man South Africa in World Cup Group Stage opener
Mexico opened their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa at Estadio Banorte, a Group Stage - 1 fixture that turned decisively in the hosts' favour after a bright start and a chaotic finish. J. Quinones put Mexico ahead inside nine minutes, finishing off an assist from E. Lira, and that lead held through to half-time.
AI-assisted match report written from official match data.
South Africa's task grew harder four minutes into the second half when Sphephelo Sithole was sent off, leaving Hugo Broos' side to play the remainder with ten men. Mexico made the extra man count in the 67th minute, as Raúl Jiménez converted an R. Alvarado assist to double the advantage. South Africa's afternoon deteriorated further when Themba Zwane was dismissed in the 84th minute, reducing them to nine.
The closing stages brought late drama at the other end too, with Mexico's César Montes sent off in the second minute of stoppage time. Mexico dominated territory and chances throughout, finishing with 61 percent possession and 16 shots to South Africa's three, a gulf reflected in an xG reading of 1.46 against just 0.07 for the visitors.
Raúl Jiménez scored Mexico's second goal and finished with a match-best rating of 7.7, capping a controlled display in attack.
Mexico's 16 shots to South Africa's three underlined how one-sided the contest was in front of goal.
Mexico beat South Africa 2–0 (half-time 1–0).
Mexico met South Africa in the World Cup (Group Stage - 1). Kick-off was Thursday, 11 June 2026, 19:00 UTC at Estadio Banorte. Referee: Wilton Pereira Sampaio.
Team pages: Mexico · South Africa · World Cup
Key moments
- 9' Goal: J. Quinones (assist: E. Lira) — 1–0 · Watch J. Quinones's goal video (9')
- 49' Red card: Sphephelo Sithole
- 67' Goal: Raúl Jiménez (assist: R. Alvarado) — 2–0
- 84' Red card: Themba Zwane
- 90+2' Red card: César Montes
Starting line-ups
Mexico (4-1-4-1)
- 1 R. Rangel
- 23 Jesús Gallardo
- 5 Johan Vásquez
- 3 César Montes (c)
- 15 Israel Reyes
- 6 Érik Lira
- 16 J. Quinones
- 8 Álvaro Fidalgo
- 26 Brian Gutiérrez
- 25 Roberto Alvarado
- 9 Raúl Jiménez
South Africa (5-3-2)
- 1 Ronwen Williams
- 6 Aubrey Modiba
- 14 Mbekezeli Mbokazi
- 21 Ime Okon
- 19 N. Sibisi
- 20 Khuliso Mudau
- 23 J. Adams
- 13 Sphephelo Sithole
- 4 Teboho Mokoena
- 9 Lyle Foster
- 15 Iqraam Rayners
About this match
On this page: the Mexico vs South Africa final score and result, goal highlights and video clips of every goal, who scored, starting lineups, match stats and the full match report from this World Cup fixture.
- Who scored and when — a goal-by-goal timeline of the match.
- Match stats — possession, shots, expected goals (xG), corners and cards.
- Starting lineups and player ratings for both teams.
- Head-to-head record and recent form for both sides.
Watch the goals: goal highlights and video clips of every goal from Mexico 2–0 South Africa. Explore more on the Mexico and South Africa team pages or the World Cup page.