Industry Odisha Bureau, Jun 12: As the FIFA World Cup-2026 campaign got kicked off last night at a jam-packed (of nearly 80,000 spectators) Estadio Azteca Stadium in Mexico City at the scheduled local time, the grand opening day reportedly witnessed cohost Mexico registering a commanding 2-0 victory over South Africa.
As per media reports, “Mexico team’s forward Julian Quinones scored the opening goal of the FIFA World Cup – 2026 in just after the ninth minute of match started.”
On the other hand, as reported by media, “South Africa had to undergo a nightmarish experience when its midfielder Sphephelo Sithole was sent off by the referee in the 49th minute, ordered to leave the field and take no further part in the game. Thus, reduced to a ten-men brigade, the South Africa side had an uphill task to take on the relentless pressure mounted on them from the Mexicans.”
Also, it has been reported that, “Adding fuel to the fire of the South African team’s frustration, its player Themba Zwane was shown a red card by referee Wilton Sampaio at the 84th minute of the match following a video assistant referee (VAR) review for striking Mexican footballer Robert Alvarado in the face, and Themba Zwane had to leave the team with only nine players left behind.”
As per media reports, “Mexico team also finished the match with ten players when its defender Cesar Montes was also shown a red card for a reckless challenge on South African footballer Khuliso Johnson Mudau near the edge of the penalty area.”
Notwithstanding that, Mexico’s FIFA World Cup campaign on a winning note gives the cohost football team “an ideal start in Group A making the Mexicans optimistic of progressing into the knockout stage,” football game experts reportedly opine.
