Three players were sent off in the opening game for the first time in World Cup history as co-hosts Mexico defeated nine-man South Africa in a chaotic match at a raucous Estadio Azetca in Mexico City.
Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were shown red cards for South Africa before Mexico captain Cesar Montes was sent off in stoppage time. Three red cards is the most in a single World Cup game since 2006.
There was also an emotional moment for Raul Jimenez, who doubled Mexico’s lead with a second-half header six years after suffering a life-threatening fractured skull when playing for Wolves against Arsenal. He appeared to have tears in his eyes as he celebrated with his team-mates.
Earlier, Music icons Shakira and Burna Boy headlined a star-studded opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca – the first of three at the tournament, with the US and Canada also hosting their own ceremonies tomorrow.
The action continues as Czech Republic and South Korea face off in the second Group A match with kick off in Zapopan scheduled for 3am BST.
Follow all the action from the World Cup 2026 below:
Czech Republic growing in confidence after weathering South Korea storm
30 mins – South Korea 0-0 Czech Republic
South Korea’s play has been met by a stubborn a Czech Republic outfit.
Despite holding 53% possession, with 34% to Czech Republic and 13% “in contest,” in the words of FS1, there is a growing confidence in Miroslav Koubek’s side.
They are growing into this contest. 0-0.
CHANCE! South Korea goes close through Son Heung Min
12 mins – South Korea 0-0 Czech Republic
Lee Jae-Sung was in behind for South Korea, with Czech Republic carved open.
A lovely lay-off for Son Heung Min, but his shot is deflected wide.
And then Lee Kang-In has a swing, the ball is moving all over the place, but Matej Kovar punches it clear. All Korea so far!
South Korea v Czech Republic
John Terry tips South Africa to rediscover identity after World Cup setback
“Every game is so difficult,” John Terry says. “It’s a really young group, they’ll be better for this.
“I want to see passion, in the games I’ve seen, it’s front-foot, from the outside, there’s a gameplan. Tonight, are we building up from the back, I’m not sure, are we going direct or long, I’m not sure.
“We don’t know what South Africa team that was tonight, we want to see a South Africa team that is passionate and gives it a go.”
Roy Keane sums up South Africa
“To self-destruct like that? You’ve got no chance.”
South Korea line-up to face Czech Republic
South Korea XI: Kim; Han-beom, Min-Jae, Gi-hyuk; Young-woo, Inbeom, Paik, Tae-seok; Kang-in, Jae-sung; Son
Czech Republic line-up to face South Korea
Czech Republic XI: Kovar; Chaloupek, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Soucek, Sojka, Zeleny; Sulc, Provod; Schick
‘Not one player did themselves justice’
Former South Africa midfielder Dean Furman was not holding back on BBC radio.
“To lose someone like Themba Zwane – he’s the experienced member of the team, the one who’s going to come on if a game’s tight and add a little bit of quality but South Africa were just miles off it,” Furman said on 5 Live.
“There’s really not one player on that pitch in a yellow shirt who can hold their hands up and say they did themselves justice unfortunately.”
