Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio shows a red card to South Africa’s midfielder #11 Themba Zwane during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP)

Mexico kicked off the 2026 FIFA World Cup in emphatic fashion, defeating South Africa 2-0 before a packed Estadio Azteca on Thursday.

Goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez secured all three points for the co-hosts, while South Africa finished the match with nine men in a dramatic opening encounter.

Here are the five major highlights from the World Cup opener:

1. Quinones scores the first goal of the tournament