The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened with Mexico defeating South Africa 2-0 in entrance of 80,000 spectators at Azteca Stadium.
Julian Quininoa took benefit of a defensive mistake to offer them an early lead within the ninth minute, and Raul Jimenez added a second purpose to seal the victory.
One other pink card
The match was overshadowed by record-setting disciplinary motion, with three pink playing cards handed out, essentially the most ever for a World Cup opening match. South Africa completed the match with 9 gamers, together with Themba Zwane, who was despatched off because of an accident with an opponent participant throughout a scoring alternative.
FIFA’s strict enforcement of the Denial of Apparent Scoring Alternative (DOGSO) rule has garnered numerous consideration, with the opening match alone leading to virtually as many pink playing cards as in the complete 2022 World Cup.
Within the second match of the day, South Korea got here from behind to defeat the Czech Republic with a rating of 2-1. The Czech Republic took the lead from a protracted throw-in, however they got here again within the second half with targets from Hwang In-beom and Hong Hyun-seok.
South Korea dominated a lot of the match however struggled to transform early possibilities, with captain Son Heung-min accounting for 5 of the staff’s eight makes an attempt on purpose.
Off the pitch, controversy erupted over the published of the event. Viewers criticized the usage of full-screen ads throughout hydration breaks, significantly in the course of the Mexico vs. South Africa match, after the broadcaster was unable to restart the sport from a industrial break in time.
Explaining the fundamental guidelines of soccer on display screen additionally sparked controversy, with critics arguing that the method mirrored an effort to cater to a brand new viewers.
The event continues with Canada taking up Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto and the USA taking up Paraguay in Los Angeles.
