Mexico vs South Africa LIVE
Mexico's Julian Quinones unleashed a spectacular strike and Raul Jimenez scored a header as the co-hosts beat nine-man South Africa 2-0 in their World Cup Group A opener at Estadio Azteca on Thursday, in a match where three players were sent off.
Quinones opened the scoring early after Sphephelo Sithole's defensive error allowed Erik Lira to recover possession and set up the forward, whose powerful finish sent the home crowd wild under cloudy skies in Mexico City.
South Africa's task became harder five minutes after the break when Sithole was sent off for a foul on Brian Gutierrez, although Jimenez failed to make the resulting free kick count. The striker made amends in the 67th minute, heading in Mexico's second at the far post.
Midfielder Themba Zwane was shown a red card for violent conduct in the 84th minute as South Africa finished with nine men, while Mexico defender Cesar Montes was also sent off for a foul in stoppage time. Mexico face South Korea in Guadalajara on Thursday, while South Africa play the Czechia.
Mexico vs South Africa latest news
RED CARD! Mexico see red in injury time RED CARD! South Africa down to nine men GOAL! Jimenez heads home a second RED CARD! Sithole sent off for South Africa GOAL! Quinones nets first goal of World CupLive updates
Full-time!
98min: That’s your lot for the opening game!
Those final two red cards put somewhat of a sour taste on the game, which was a very easy win for Mexico.
South Africa offered very, very little.
MEXICO RED CARD!
92min: This is ridiculous! Another red card!
Montes is sent off for what is a yellow card all day, every day. Mudau was in a goalscoring opportunity apparently.
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
91min: Seven minutes added on.
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
86min: Even the Mexico fans have lost some of their noise after that. A tamer atmosphere in the Azteca now.
SOUTH AFRICA RED CARD!
83min: Another one!
That is absolutely absurd.
Zwane is red-carded for a supposed slap on Alvarado. He looks extremely confused, and so do a lot of people in the stadium.
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
81min: We have a VAR check for a possible red card.
The referee has been asked to go to the monitor. It’s so soft.
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
79min: No second goal for Quinones, as he is replaced by Vega.
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
77min: Alvarez and Gonzalez are on for Lira and goalscorer Jimenez.
It’s a party atmosphere in the Azteca.
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
74min: Sibisi is into the book for a cynical shove.
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
73min: Shouts for a Mexico penalty as Jimenez takes a tumble under the pressure from Zwane, but the referee is not interested.
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