Bafana Bafana's horror start at the World Cup opening game

After 16 long years, South Africa finally lived to see their team at the World Cup finals. But after 90 minutes, Bafana Bafana fans looked in horror as their team showed nothing, apart from the ability to make red cards. Shots on target two – red cards two, final score 0-2: that’s the South Africa’s score after the first game at the 2026 World Cup. It was always gonna be hard playing the first game against the co-hosts at their ground, with a fanatical support of over 80.000 fans, but Hugo Broos men should have showed something, anything. Bafana Bafana gave up from the first minute, allowed a goal after only nine, made too much mistakes and earned two red cards. Too little for at least a draw. Mexico is a decent team but this game showed they will struggle against bigger teams. But against South Africa, they did more than enough and should have scored more than two goals.

Today was exactly 16 years since both sides contested the opening match of the 2010 finals, albeit their roles were reversed. Host nation South Africa struck first in Johannesburg through Siphiwe Tshabalala's rocket. But as memorable as his strike was, it proved academic as Rafael Marquez's late equalizer rescued a point in a 1-1 draw. This time there was no drama, as the hosts were all over Bafana Bafana. First half was good for Mexico, but it could have been better, only if the home players used their chances. It was ninth minute and Mexico’s second chance when they scored. Julian Quinones scored the earliest goal in the opening game of a World Cup tournament since Philipp Lahm for Germany vs. Costa Rica in 2006 (after 6 minutes). South Africa were sloppy in possession when playing out from the back, with Sithole taking a heavy touch. Lira forced the ball to Quinones, who stepped inside and drilled home through the legs of Williams. Mexico had a chance in the fifth minute already, when Jimenez met a curling cross from the fight flank, but Williams pushed it away. Bafana Bafana finally managed to get a grip and pushed the hosts a bit further from the goal and from that moment on, nothing happened until 40th minute of the game. Jimenez was again there with a chance, but Williams was on the spot again. When Bafana Bafana keeper was finally beaten a minute later, the ball hit the post after Quinones’ shot.

South Africa managed only one shot on target in the first half, but the second half didn’t start good either. Mexico created an opportunity straight away, but worst was yet to come. In the 50th minute, Sithole made a second mistake of the day, and received a straight red card after a clumsy tackle on Gutierrez as the last man. It took Mexico 17 minutes to score with one more men on the field. Jimenez finally used some of the chances he had tonight and headed the ball into the net for 2-0 and pandemonium in the stands. If Bafana Bafana didn’t shot anything until now, it was unrealistic that they could do anything after this score. In fact, one of their most experienced players unnecessarily hit Mexico player in the face, and received a second red card in the match. Just six minutes after Zwane, home team player Montes got his red card, third on the match. The centre-half took out Mudau, who was threatening to advance into the penalty area and had to leave the field early.

Thursday, 11.06.

Mexico - S.Africa 2-0 (1-0)

/Quiñones 9, Jiménez 67/

Friday, 12. 06.

05.00: (2.70) S.Korea (3.10) Czech R. (2.75)

22.00: (1.85) Canada (3.70) B&H (4.25)

Saturday, 13.06.

04.00: (2.05) USA (3.35) Paraguay (3.80)

22.00: (12.0) Qatar (5.40) Switzerland (1.28)