MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico made an instant impression on its largest city. world cup Four years after a major disappointment, it was a historic feat that thrilled a roaring home crowd at the iconic Aztec Stadium.
Mexico’s players knew they faced intense pressure and high expectations Thursday in the opening game of the first 48-team World Cup tournament. However, they accepted their role and got off to a winning start by defeating South Africa 2-0 in a productive game. 3 red cards.
“We tried to explain to them what the World Cup and the home opener meant, but they were still young so they needed to experience it for themselves,” said coach Javier Aguirre, who played for Mexico in 1986. “We can’t talk anymore about playing in a home World Cup because they already know what a home World Cup is like.”
For Mexico, which will co-host the 2026 Games with Canada and the United States, Julián Quiñones and Raul Jimenez scored the goals.
The Mexicans bounced back from the huge disappointment of being eliminated in the group stage against Qatar four years ago. After that, they advanced to the last 16 seven times in a row, but this performance became a curse for not being able to advance to the quarterfinals.
But this year there is hope. Mexico has reached the quarterfinals twice in history, both times as the host nation (1970 and 1986). Aguirre was on that team in 1986.
In front of a crowd of 80,824, Mexico moved quickly and took the lead with Quiñones’ goal in the ninth minute. Jimenez added his second goal with a header in the 66th minute. It was his 46th goal for Mexico, but his first in three World Cups.
“We didn’t play well in the first half, but we could have gone into the second half with a 3-0 lead and no one would have complained. We were much better,” Aguirre said. “I felt like we let down our guard a little in the second half, but it was good to start with a win, and I’m sure we can improve.”
With this goal, Jimenez moved into a tie for second place on the Mexican national team’s scoring list with Jared Borgetti. He is six goals behind leader Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.
Jimenez wears a protective head guard after sustaining a serious injury while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in a Premier League game against Arsenal in November 2020. He fractured his skull and had to undergo surgery. He was out for eight months but returned in July 2021.
South Africa’s Sphephelo Sihole and Themba Zwane were given red cards, leaving the team with just nine players. Then, in stoppage time, Mexican defender Cesar Montes was given a red card.
It was the first time he received three red cards in the opening game of a World Cup. This is the most in a World Cup match since four were dealt when Portugal played against the Netherlands in Germany in 2006.
South Africa coach Hugo Bruce said: “This level is much higher than any level we have played before. We are a good team and we played a good game. We were looking at a desperate Mexico.” “We have to improve in the next few days. We will overcome the disappointment.”
Quiñones is a 29-year-old Colombian-born forward who was the Saudi League’s top scorer this season. He was one of six starters to make their World Cup debut for El Tri.
Mexico currently has three points in Group A and will next face South Korea in Guadalajara next Thursday. South Africa will play the Czech Republic in Atlanta on the same day.
Coach Aguirre said, “(Winning in the group stage) will be important, but right now I’m only thinking about the match against South Korea. We need to be better than them and aim to win.” “We’ll take it step by step and see what the future holds.”
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
