Mexico open the World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa at the Azteca
The hosts win the opening match at the Estadio Azteca; Quiñones opened the scoring in the 9th minute.
The 48-team World Cup got under way at the Estadio Azteca, host of the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. The Mexico City colossus, with a capacity of close to 80,800, once again became the epicentre of world football decades after staging the 1970 and 1986 finals, on a night loaded with symbolism for Mexican football.
The hosts left no room for nerves. Quiñones opened the scoring in the 9th minute, breaking the tension of a World Cup opener as early as possible and setting up a 2-0 win that hands Mexico the opening three points of Group A. The early goal allowed the home side to play with the result in their favour and dictate the tempo against a South Africa team that arrived well organised but lacked the cutting edge to cause real problems.
From there, the home side managed possession and dropped back sensibly when needed, keeping a clean sheet. The two-goal margin carries extra value in a tournament where goal difference could decide which of the best third-placed teams advance, and that matters from this very first matchday.
The result leaves Mexico in a comfortable position within a Group A they share with South Africa, South Korea and the Czech Republic. The hosts' calendar will keep them moving between their national venues — the Azteca itself, the Estadio Akron in Zapopan and the Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe — cutting down on travel and letting them play wrapped in the support of their fans.
Mexico shares hosting duties with the United States and Canada in a historic, expanded edition of 48 teams split into 12 groups. The tournament, stretching coast to coast across North America, gets off to the perfect start for one of the three host nations, which dreams of going beyond the quarter-final barrier for the first time away from — and yet so close to — the historic pressure of the Azteca.
The opening celebration, with a full house and a vibrant atmosphere, left the feeling that the national team understands the importance of starting strongly. The next test comes in Zapopan, where the fans hope to confirm the good signs of an almost perfect debut.