Mexico and South Korea Open World Cup 2026 With Wins, Drama and Red Cards

World Cup 2026 began with a home victory for Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in front of more than 80,000 fans, who saw Julián Quiñones score the tournament’s first goal after nine minutes following a South African defensive mistake. Mexico were not especially impressive, but Raúl Jiménez doubled the lead in the 67th minute from a Roberto Alvarado cross, scoring his first World Cup goal and his 46th for the national team. He was visibly emotional and cried after the goal.

South Africa’s challenge got harder in the second half when central midfielder Sphephelo Sithelo was sent off with a straight red card. In the 84th minute, substitute Themba Zwane was also dismissed for striking a Mexican player in the face, leaving South Africa with nine men. Mexico then joined the disciplinary chaos when defender César Montes fouled an African player near the box, creating a World Cup first, three red cards in one opening match. Despite a very subdued performance, Mexico held on for three points.

The second match of the tournament delivered another comeback, with South Korea beating Czechia 2-1 in Guadalajara. The Koreans were the more dangerous side for long stretches, with Wang In-beom and Lee Kang-in controlling midfield and creating repeated chances, while Czechia looked most threatening from set pieces and aerial balls.

Czechia struck first in the 59th minute when Vladimír Coufal crossed and Vladislav Krejčí headed in for 1-0. That lead lasted only eight minutes, as Wang In-beom equalized in the box with a calm finish. South Korea completed the turnaround in the 80th minute, when Wang set up substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu on a fast counterattack, and the forward made it 2-1. Czechia pushed late but could not seriously test the Korean goal, and South Korea collected an important win that could matter in the race for a round-of-16 place.