Mexico Open World Cup 2026 in Style as Quiñones and Jiménez Sink South Africa

Mexico delivered exactly the start their home World Cup demanded, easing past South Africa 2-0 in front of a delirious Estadio Azteca crowd in Mexico City. The hosts were in command from the opening exchanges and never allowed Bafana Bafana a way back into the contest.

An early statement

It took just nine minutes for Mexico to settle nerves, Julián Quiñones finishing crisply to send the Azteca into raptures. The early goal allowed El Tri to control tempo and territory, with South Africa struggling to string together meaningful attacks against a confident home side.

Jiménez puts it to bed

The result was effectively secured on 67 minutes when Raúl Jiménez, leading the line with intelligence and experience, doubled the advantage. South Africa pressed in spells but lacked the cutting edge to trouble the Mexican rearguard, which kept a clean sheet.

What it means

The win set Mexico on course to top Group A and underlined their ambitions as co-hosts. South Africa, meanwhile, were left to regroup, knowing they would need to be far sharper in front of goal in their remaining fixtures to keep alive hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.