South Africa had two red cards and lost 2-0 to Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup on Thursday.
Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off in the second half of a match where the Bafana Bafana appeared to have a bad case of performance anxiety in front of a raucous crowd at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Although the Mexicans got a red card of their own, goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez were sufficient to kick off their tournament with a victory on home turf.
The match was a repeat of the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, when South Africa were the hosts and managed a 1-1 draw.
El Tri ensured there would be no repeat this time. Javier Aguirre’s side started brightly and immediately pushed South Africa onto the defensive. The breakthrough eventually arrived after sustained pressure from the hosts. Quinones scored the first goal of the 2026 World Cup in the ninth minute, with a low shot through the legs of South Africa’s goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
The Bafana Bafana players looked lost for most of the game, with attacks breaking down before they were even composed. Williams in goal was repeatedly called into action to keep South Africa within touching distance as Mexico continued to create chances.
Sithole picked up the first red card of the match in the 49th minute, after bundling over Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez, who was clear through on goal.
Shortly, Mexico doubled the lead after Jimenez headed the ball into the far post off Roberto Alvarado’s crossing.
The night then turned worse for Bafana Bafana in the 84th minute when Zwane was dismissed after a VAR review for flailing an arm into the face of Alvarado.
Before the final whistle, Cesar Montes also received a red card for a clumsy challenge on Khulisa Mudau.
Mexico are at the top of Group A and will play Czechia next, while South Africa will face South Korea.
