Co-hosts Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in a dramatic World Cup opener in Mexico City, where three players were sent off.
A star-studded opening ceremony featuring Shakira, Burna Boy and J Balvin entertained the 80,000 fans in attendance at the historic Azteca Stadium before kick-off.
The opening match of the 2026 World Cup was marked by a flurry of red cards. South Africa’s Yaya Sithole was first to be dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity, before Themba Zwane was sent off late on for a controversial slap on an opponent. Mexico's César Montes also saw red in stoppage time for a late challenge.
Mexico took just nine minutes to score the opening goal of the tournament, with Julián Quiñones slotting home as the hosts made a dominant start.
After South Africa's first dismissal, striker Raúl Jiménez doubled Mexico's lead with a header midway through the second half.
Mexico also introduced the youngest player at the 2026 World Cup, 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, during the second half.
The victory gives Mexico an early advantage in Group A, which also includes South Korea and the Czech Republic.
Despite the win, Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was not entirely satisfied with his side's performance.
"This was a 4-0 match. We didn't play good enough, but people are happy," he told reporters. "It's the start of the World Cup - we've put the nerves behind us and now we have three points. We're thinking about what's next."
Mexico face South Korea in Guadalajara on 18 June, while South Africa take on the Czech Republic in Atlanta.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 16th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Defending champions Argentina came from behind with two late goals to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday, booking their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final where they will face Spain.
Spain booked their place in the World Cup final with a composed 2-0 victory over France on Tuesday, ending the hopes of the tournament favourites and moving within one match of a second World Cup title.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the reimposition of a U.S. naval blockade on all Iranian ports and warned that power plants and bridges could be targeted next week unless Tehran returns to negotiations.
The United States carried out a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian shipping and proposed a 20% fee on cargo passing through the strategic waterway.
The death toll from the fire at a live music pub in Bangkok has climbed to 32 after two more victims died from their injuries, according to Thailand's Police Hospital.
Ukraine and Russia exchanged fresh attacks on Tuesday, with Kyiv targeting shipping and energy infrastructure inside Russia while Moscow launched another large-scale missile and drone assault on Ukrainian cities.
The U.S. military announced that it has completed a new wave of strikes against Iranian military targets under U.S. President Donald Trump's orders. The operation targeted command centres, air defence systems, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance sites across multiple locations.
At least 11 people have been killed and 19 injured in a fire at an orphanage on the outskirts of the Algerian capital, state media reported. The blaze broke out early on Thursday at the institution in the eastern suburbs of Algiers.
A woman whose husband was sucked out of the window of a plane during a Ryanair flight has recounted pulling her husband to safety. Serbian couple Svetlana Maksimovic and Ljubisa Karovic had just settled into a flight with the airline last week, when a loud bang pierced the hum of engines.
Russia launched a fresh wave of missile strikes on Ukraine early on Thursday, saying it had hit military and industrial facilities in Kyiv, as well as key port infrastructure in the southern Odesa region.
Uganda is expected to discharge its final Ebola patient on Thursday, beginning the 42-day countdown required before the country can be declared free of the virus if no new cases emerge, according to a government spokesperson.
The U.S. Coast Guard has called off its search for three people missing after a pontoon boat capsized near Alcatraz, leaving four people dead or presumed dead.
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