- Safiu Kehinde
The much anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup have commenced on a high note as co-host nation, Mexico, ran away with 2-0 victory against the Bafanabafana of South Africa.
Mexico secured the first three points of the tournament in a fierce opening game played on Thursday.
The match which saw both team shared three red cards initially started on a lighter note with Mexico wasting no time to establish their dominance.
The host nation went on the offensive against a shaky South Africa who conceded the first goal barely ten minutes into the game.
A defensive blunder between the Bafanabafana goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, and his defender, Sphephelo Sithole, gifted Mexico opening goal.
Williams’ sloppy pass to Sithole was snatched by Mexican attackers with Julian Quinones roofing the ball past the South African goalkeeper to score the first goal of the tournament.
The first half ended with Mexico leading by 1-0.
South Africa’s hope of getting back to game in the second half suffered a huge setback with Sithole again falling prey of a nightmarish performance.
The defender was given a marching order with straight red card following a dangerous tackle on Mexican player in the 49th minute.
This put the 10-man Bafanabafana team into a difficult situation against the host nation.
Mexico capitalised on the numerical advantage in the 67th when veteran striker, Raul Jimenez, headed home a cross to double the host nation’s lead.
South Africa attempted to fight back but the fight would get messier for the visitors as they were again reduced to nine-man.
Themba Zwane’s elbow against Mexico’s Roberto Alvarado saw South Africa pick a second red card of the night while Mexico’s Cesar Montes was also sent off for a foul in stoppage time.
The match was considered a repeat of the 2010 World Cup where both teams played the opener with South Africa as host.
The game ended 1-1, with Siphiwe Tshabalala and Rafeal Marquez on the score sheet.