Mexico and South Korea win their opening matches

The hosts beat South Africa 2–0 in the opening match in Mexico City. The Asian side secured a 2–1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic

by Marco Bellinazzo

12 June 2026

Citta del Messico 11/06/2026 Calcio Campionati Mondiali Coppa del Mondo Mondiale Messico-SudAfrica nella foto una panoramica dello stadio Azteca durante la cerimonia inaugurale - Italy Photo Press 16878

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Mexico and South Korea have kicked off the 2026 World Cup with three points each and have already established a significant lead. The hosts’ victory over South Africa and the Koreans’ comeback win against the Czech Republic have set the tone for Group A right from the start, following the first round of matches.

Mexico 2–0 South Africa

At the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the venue for the tournament’s opening match, Mexico took to the field bearing the responsibility of the host nation but without letting the pressure get to them. The start was marked by an intense atmosphere, almost more emotional than technical, but it didn’t take long for Aguirre’s side to get their game in order.

The first decisive moment came early. In the 9th minute, Mexico’s high press forced a mistake in South Africa’s build-up play: they won the ball back quickly and Julián Quiñones finished with a low shot, scoring not only the 1–0 but also the first goal of the World Cup.

From there, the match took on a controlled rhythm. Mexico had no need to push the pace; they managed possession and chose when to step up the tempo. South Africa tried to stay in the game, but struggled to create clear-cut chances and were often pinned back in their own half.

The second half saw the gap widen. This was partly because South Africa were reduced to ten men just a few minutes in, following Sithole’s sending-off for a last-man foul. It was not to be the only red card. South Africa actually finished the match with nine men, following Zwole’s sending-off in the 83rd minute, whilst Mexico ended the game with ten men after Montes was shown a red card in stoppage time. Three sendings-off is a record for a World Cup opening match.

However, the South Africans’ numerical disadvantage opened up more space, and Mexico continued to play with discipline. The second goal came in the 67th minute: a move developed down the right led to a perfect cross for Raúl Jiménez, who headed home to make it 2–0 and seal the match.

The final stages passed without any real drama, marked by tension and yellow cards, but with the result never really in doubt. Mexico came away with a comfortable victory, built more on solid management than on spectacular dominance, but enough to take the top spot in the group straight away.

South Korea – Czech Republic 2–1

South Korea’s response came a few hours later, in the other Group A match, played at the Estadio Guadalajara (Akron) in Zapopan. It was a different game in terms of pace and flow, more tentative at the start and more intense in the second half.

The first half was a tentative affair, with few chances and the game evenly balanced. The Czech Republic remained compact, whilst South Korea tried to move the ball around but couldn’t find a way through.

The match really came to life in the second half. It was the Czechs who struck first, in the 59th minute, when Ladislav Krejčí capitalised on a set-piece to put his side ahead with a well-timed run.

The goal shifts the momentum of the match. South Korea step up the pace, increase the intensity of their pressing and begin to spend more time in the opposition’s half. The equaliser came in the 67th minute, with Hwang In-beom capitalising on a swift move to beat the Czech goalkeeper and level the match.

At that point, the game really opened up. The Czech Republic tried to fight back, even scoring a goal – again from a free-kick header – which was, however, ruled out by VAR for offside, but they gradually lost their shape. South Korea pressed on, driven by a higher tempo and greater conviction, and took the lead in the 80th minute, when Oh Hyeon-gyu finished off the decisive move to complete the comeback.

In the closing minutes, the Czechs are pushing forward, but without managing to create any real clear-cut chances.

The situation in Group A, after the first matchday, is already clear:

The group standings

Mexico and South Korea therefore both have three points and will face each other in the next round of matches in what could prove to be the decisive breakaway in Group A, whilst the Czech Republic v South Africa match will already be a head-to-head clash between two teams already forced to play catch-up after having to bid an early farewell to the World Cup.