Goal
Julian Quiñones
Quiñones fires a low, powerful strike that nutmegs goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, scoring the first goal of the 2026 World Cup after capitalizing on a South African defensive error.
Mexico
FTGroup Stage - Group A
🇲🇽MexicoHome
2–0
🇿🇦South AfricaAway
0'90'
Estadio Azteca
Match events
9'⚽Julian Quiñones
17'🟨Teboho Mokoena
23'🟨Brian Gutiérrez
50'🟥Yaya Sithole
67'⚽Raúl Jiménez
74'🟨Nkosinathi Sibisi
84'🟥Themba Zwane
92'🟥César Montes
Match preview: Mexico vs South Africa
🕐 Friday, June 12, 2026 at 02:00 AM (ICT) · 📍 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico face South Africa in the Group Stage - Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City. This promises to be an exciting contest between two competitive sides.
Mexico
52%
Win probability
Draw
23%
Draw
South Africa
25%
Loss
Match timeline
9'
17'
Yellow card
Teboho Mokoena
Mokoena picks up South Africa's first yellow card of the tournament for a serious foul in midfield as the Bafana Bafana struggle to contain Mexico's attacking play.
South Africa
Yellow card
Brian Gutiérrez
Gutiérrez is cautioned for a serious foul as the referee aims to maintain control of a physical encounter at the Estadio Azteca.
Mexico
23'
50'
Red card
Yaya Sithole
Sithole brings down Brian Gutiérrez who was through on goal, leaving the referee with no choice but to show a straight red card and reduce South Africa to ten men.
South Africa
Goal
Raúl Jiménez
Jiménez converts Roberto Alvarado's precise assist to double Mexico's lead, the veteran striker finally delivering his landmark World Cup moment on home soil.
Mexico
67'
74'
Yellow card
Nkosinathi Sibisi
Sibisi is booked for a foul as South Africa's depleted defense continues to struggle against Mexico's relentless pressure.
South Africa
84'
Red card
Themba Zwane
After a VAR review, Zwane is given a straight red card for striking Roberto Alvarado in the face — an act of unsporting behavior that further compounds South Africa's misery.
South Africa
Red card
César Montes
Montes receives a red card in stoppage time for a reckless tackle on Khuliso Mudau inside the penalty area, ending an otherwise perfect night for Mexico on a sour note.
Mexico
92'
Lineups
Mexico - Projected XI
Formation 4-3-3
1GKGuillermo Ochoa
4RBJesús Gallardo
5CBCésar Montes
6CBJorge Sánchez
7LBJohan Vásquez
10DMEdson Álvarez
11CMOrbelín Pineda
12CMRoberto Alvarado
20RWRaúl Jiménez
21STAlexis Vega
22LWSantiago Giménez
South Africa - Projected XI
Formation 4-3-3
1GKRonwen Williams
4RBAubrey Modiba
5CBKhuliso Mudau
6CBNkosinathi Sibisi
7LBMbekezeli Mbokazi
15DMTeboho Mokoena
16CMSphephelo Sithole
17CMThalente Mbatha
19RWThemba Zwane
20STLyle Foster
21LWEvidence Makgopa
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