FIFA Word Cup 2026: Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez fire co-hosts to winning start; South Korea fight back to sink Czechia in Guadalajara
Mexico City / Guadalajara, June 11, 2026 — The FIFA World Cup 2026 got off to a dramatic opening day as both Group A matches delivered goals, red cards, and memorable moments on Thursday.
Co-hosts Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener at a raucous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, in front of over 80,000 fans. The breakthrough came as early as the ninth minute when Sphephelo Sithole lost possession near his own penalty area, allowing Julián Quiñones to intercept and fire home the first goal of the 2026 World Cup. Raúl Jiménez doubled the lead in the 67th minute, assisted by Roberto Alvarado, netting his first World Cup goal across three tournament appearances and equalling Jared Borgetti for second place on Mexico’s all-time international scoring list with his 46th goal.
The contest was marred by three red cards — two for South Africa and one for Mexico — the most dismissals in a World Cup opening match. South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were both sent off, while Mexico’s César Montes was dismissed late in stoppage time.
In the evening fixture at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, South Korea kicked off their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory over Czechia. Czechia struck first in the 59th minute when captain Ladislav Krejčí powered home a header from Vladimir Coufal’s long throw.
South Korea responded with Hwang In-beom equalising eight minutes later with a composed finish, before substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu completed the turnaround in the 80th minute, sliding in to convert Hwang’s cutback.
It was the first time since 2010 that South Korea had won their opening World Cup match. Both sides now turn their attention to their second group fixtures on June 18, with Mexico taking on South Korea and Czechia facing South Africa.
Did you know?
Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre and South Africa head coach Hugo Broos both made their FIFA World Cup debuts as players at Mexico City Stadium in 1986.