Mexico kicked off the2026 World Cup in successful trend, however it was the pink playing cards, not the objectives, that outlined some of the chaotic opening matches within the match’s historical past.
Objectives from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez gave the co-hosts a 2-0 win at the Estadio Azteca, however the scoreline was not the headline coming away from the curtain-raiser.
Three straight pink playing cards within the second half left the sport ending at ten versus 9, the primary World Cup opener in historical past to function three dismissals.
Quinones broke the impasse with the earliest purpose to open a World Cup since Philipp Lahm’s strike for Germany in opposition to Costa Rica after six minutes in 2006.
Talking afterwards, he was delighted. “Many issues got here into my head like celebrating and screaming with pleasure,” he mentioned.
“I went to the bench to see my friends as a result of they’ve given me a lot confidence. I wished to really feel that pleasure with them.”
South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole was proven a straight pink card early within the second half after pulling again Brian Gutierrez who was clear by means of on purpose, successfully killing Bafana Bafana’s hopes of a comeback.
Raul Jimenez then made it 2-0, heading dwelling from shut vary to spark extra Azteca celebrations.
Quinones paid tribute to his veteran strike associate. “We actually congratulated him as a result of he offers lots to the group,” he mentioned.
“Being a part of a group is our delight and it’s great he continues so as to add objectives to his profession as a participant in our nationwide group.”
Pink playing cards the headline
Then got here the controversy. Cesar Montes was proven a straight pink card for denying an apparent goalscoring alternative after a slipshod full-body deal with on a South Africa ahead.
Montes will now miss the subsequent group sport, and Quinones didn’t mince his phrases. “There have been some errors that have been very expensive,” he mentioned flatly. “Being despatched off is one thing you possibly can keep away from.”
The South Africa supervisor was additionally clearly annoyed in his post-match evaluation. “The primary pink card, I don’t assume we’ve to say one thing about it,” he conceded, earlier than turning his fireplace on Montes’ dismissal.
“The second pink card, I feel the Mexican participant blocked my participant, that occurs, the referee decides one thing else, so it’s a little bit a pity that we’ve to complete this sport with 9 gamers.”
Broos additionally insisted his facet weren’t outclassed. “I feel my group performed a great sport, some moments within the sport Mexico have been even determined, they didn’t know the way to discover the areas, so every little thing was good.
“The one factor that have to be higher within the subsequent sport is when we’ve the ball. That was not so good right now so we’ve to work on it.”
