Mexico ignited their World Cup celebration with a dominant 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa on Thursday as the largest ever version of the worldwide footballing showpiece kicked off at Mexico Metropolis’s iconic Estadio Azteca.
Julian Quinones scored the opening objective of the event, and veteran striker Raul Jimenez added a second because the co-hosts’ bid for qualification from Group A received off to a easy begin.
South Africa, in the meantime, by no means appeared like they had been spoiling the opening day fiesta, and completed with solely 9 males after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane had been despatched off.
The Mexican-colored pink, inexperienced and white smoke from pre-game fireworks had barely dissipated earlier than Quinones fired the hosts into the lead on 9 minutes, drilling a low shot by the legs of South Africa’s goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams.
A deafening roar cascaded down from the stands of the Azteca, the footballing cathedral that turned the one stadium to host video games at three completely different World Cups.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos had warned his gamers to be prepared for the intimidating ambiance created by a capability crowd of 80,824 on the imposing concrete enviornment.
However South Africa’s gamers appeared to have a foul case of stage fright as Mexico’s followers greeted every accomplished move with a raucous refrain of “Ole!” within the opening minutes.
Sithole appeared notably affected, being caught in possession attempting to play out of the again for Quinones’ opening objective. His depressing afternoon ended with a Forty ninth-minute dismissal after bundling over Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez when clear by on objective.
Mexico rammed residence their benefit within the 67th minute, with a positive counterattack culminating in Roberto Alvarado crossing for Wolverhampton Wanderers ahead Jimenez to nod residence on the far submit.
It received worse for South Africa within the 84th minute when Zwane was dismissed after a VAR overview for flinging an arm into the face of Alvarado.
There was nonetheless time for late drama when Mexican defender Cesar Montes was proven a pink card for a careless problem on Khulisa Mudau on the sting of the penalty space.
The 48-team event can be being hosted by the USA and Canada and can characteristic 104 video games, culminating within the last in New Jersey on July 19.
Shakira and Burna Boy warm up spectators at the opening ceremony
Colombian pop icon Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy had the spectators out of their seats in the opening ceremony for the World Cup ahead of the opening clash.
Dancers twirled around a giant model of the World Cup trophy while fireworks went off in the historic stadium, which hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals and has been renovated for this year’s tournament.
In the highlight of the ceremony, Shakira and Burna Boy performed ‘Dai Dai’, the official song of the tournament, bringing roars from the crowd.
J Balvin and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli were among the other performers before kickoff as the noise levels ramped up.
“It’s already a party in Mexico,” Ingrid Orozco, a 40-year-old supporter, told AFP.
“It’s amazing,” said Gustavo Ramrez, 19.
