World Cup: Co-hosts Mexico ruin Okon's competitive South Africa debut | OneFootball

Mexico start their World Cup campaign in style as they beat South Africa 2-0 in Group A. On his competitive international debut, Hannover’s Ime Okon played the entire 90 minutes for the African side. The game was a repeat of South Africa's World Cup curtain-raiser on the same day 16 years later. After only four red cards throughout the 2022 tournament, three players were sent off in the second-half of the opening game of this year's edition.

The hosts dominated the first-half as they created multiple clear-cut opportunities to South Africa's none. Raúl Jiménez, who completed his return to former club Wolves at the start of the week, was denied at the start and end of the half by excellent saves from Ronwen Williams.

However, the Sundowns shot-stopper was at fault for the opening goal of the 2026 World Cup in the 9th minute. Julián Quiñones ended his two-year wait for an international goal with a smart finish after a misunderstanding between Williams and defensive midfielder Yaya Sithole. The Saudi Pro League top-scorer also hit the post before the half-time break.

Mexico's dominance grew after the restart, and Hugo Broos’ side faced further setback when Sithole was sent off inside the first five minutes for a foul as a last defender. Jiménez got his goal a minute after 17-year-old Gilberto Mora was introduced to become the youngest Mexican player to appear in the World Cup.

Wilton Sampaio was guided by VAR six minutes before the end of regular time as South Africa were reduced to nine players. 36-year-old Themba Zwane will face far more suspension than Sithole as his red card was issued for a dangerous play without the ball. 

The Brazilian referee dished out another straight red card in injury-time for Mexican center-back Cesar Montes. It's the first time a World Cup game had multiple red cards since the battle of Nürnberg between Netherlands and Portugal twenty years ago. Mexico managed to see out the result to start off their campaign with three points. 

Czechia and South Korea will lock horns in a few hours in the other game of the group. Mexico will host South Korea in Zapopan on matchday two after Okon's Bafana Bafana face Czechia.