Mexico made an immediate impression in a drama-filled opening match of the 2026 World Cup, winning 2-0 against South Africa in a game that produced three red cards.
The Mexicans rebounded from the massive disappointment of being eliminated after the group stage four years ago in Qatar. That followed seven straight trips to the round of 16 — an achievement that became more of a curse for failing to reach the quarterfinals.
But there is hope this year. Mexico has reached the quarterfinals twice in its history, and both times it was the host country — in 1970 and 1986. Aguirre was on that team in 1986.
In front of a crowd of more than 80,000 spectators, Mexico took the lead in the ninth minute when Julián Quiñones scored the opening goal of the tournament. 35-year-old striker Raúl Jiménez headed in Mexico's second goal at the Estadio Azteca, which became the first stadium in the world to host games at three World Cups.
“I made an effort to explain to them what a World Cup and an opening match on home soil meant, but they are young and had to experience it for themselves," said Mexico coach Javier Aguirre, who played for his team the last time Mexico hosted the tournament in 1986. "I can no longer talk about having played in a home World Cup, because they already know what it’s like.”
