FIFA World Cup: Quinones, Jimenez shine as Mexico start campaign with 2-0 win over South Africa
Mexico City, June 12
Goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez helped Mexico start their FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa in front of an enthusiastic crowd at their home venue of the iconic Estadio Azteca on Friday.
The match was highly intense, with three red cards shown. This is their 22nd successive win across all competitions against African teams, with their last loss dating back to the same opposition back in the 2005 Gold Cup. This was the 20th WC match at the iconic Azteca, more than any stadium in the tournament's history, as per ESPN. Mexico continues their undefeated run at the venue.
The match started with nerves from both sides, with every South African player making their World Cup debut. South Africa looked confident, and Ronwen Williams, the goalkeeper, was making some risky passes. In the fifth minute, there was a chance for Mexico's Raul Jimenez, but the goalie made a great save.
In the ninth minute, Julian Quinones produced magic for Mexico with the first goal of the tournament. After a pass from Williams, Sithole lost possession to Erik Lira, and the ball went to Julian, who fired it past the goalie's leg from the edge of the box, the earliest ever WC goal since Philipp Lahm's goal for Germany at the 2006 tournament vs Costa Rica (six minutes), as per Sky Sports.
In the 20th minute, Quinones took another aim from 25 yards, but could not convert it into a goal. Brian Gutierrez got a chance in the 30th minute, but his shot was blocked, and Williams pulled out another save five minutes later. Lyle Foster got a chance to score for South Africa, but his header did not work.
Quinones and Jimenez made chances for Mexico, putting more pressure on South Africa, with the former's shot hitting the goalpost. Heading into half-time, SA was down 1-0 against a strong-looking home side, making the best out of their home advantage, with ball possession hitting over 57 per cent, 10 shots and 11 touches within the opposition box.
In the 50th minute, Sithole, who had earlier lost possession in the first half, was given a red card after he committed a foul on Gutierrez, just outside the box. While Mexico did not get a penalty kick, South Africa was now one man down.
Both sides made a couple of substitutions in the second half, with Gilberto Mora, the youngest player in this WC at the age of 17, coming in for Gutierrez. In the 67th minute, the 35-year-old Jimenez finally found the net for the hosts, a header that went into the net like a bullet. A touch from Quinones, which found Alvarado, went to Jimenez, playing his fourth World Cup, and he wasted no time in firing it past Williams.
Jimenez went down in the box, making contact with Sibisi. The Mexican asked for a penalty, but despite a shoulder and chest contact, the outcome was a yellow card for South Africa.
Quinones finally was off the field in the 79th minute, making way for Vega.
In the 83rd minute, South Africa received their second red card, with Zwane being sent off, reducing South Africa's field strength to nine. Also, in the stoppage time, Mexico also received a red card, the third red card of the match, but it did not matter as the hosts walked away with their full set of points, having delighted their home crowd.
— ANI
Reader Comments
South Africa's debutants showed courage, but experience matters. Jimenez at 35 scoring like that—age is just a number! Our cricket team could learn something about finishing strong from Mexico. And that estadio Azteca atmosphere? Unreal! 🇲🇽⚽
Mexico's 22nd straight win against African teams—that's a record even our hockey team would be proud of. But honestly, the red card situation was a bit painful to watch. South Africa's coach should have rested Sithole after that first-half mistake. Bhai, bas karo!
Loved seeing 17-year-old Gilberto Mora get minutes! That's how you build future stars—something we need more of in Indian football. Bhai, if only our ISL clubs could produce teenagers like that. Jimenez's header was like a rocket, yaar. 🚀
Nepal mein bhi football ka craze hai, but yeh match dekh kar lagta hai Mexico ka passion kuch aur hi hai. Quinones ka goal toh Philip Lahm ke record ko touch kar gaya—bahut impressive! South Africa ko apna game plan pe kaam karna hoga.
As an American cricket fan who also follows football, I have to say Mexico's home advantage at Azteca is unmatched. But three red cards? That's almost as chaotic as a cricket test match with a bad pitch! Jimenez's header was world-class though. Well played, Mexico.
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