Mexico records easy victory over mediocre South Africa in historic opening match with three red cards | Sport

After a remarkable opening match against weak South Africa, home country Mexico took a big blow: 2-0. The Latin American team seemed to have been lulled to sleep after the goal before half-time, in excess of them. Ultimately, striker Raúl Jiménez decided the game, which South Africa decided with only nine men. And Mexico also received a red card in the final phase.

Before halftime, one clumsy moment led to the opening goal, after which Julián Andrés Quiñones shot through the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. South Africa fumbled in the build-up, and Williams should have opted for a long ball instead of a short pass.

That first goal of the World Cup gave Mexico wings, but it did not lead to more goals. Quiñones hit the post again, while many chances were squandered.

A decisive moment after the break was the red card that South African Sphephelo Sithole received during a defensive action. Mexican Brian Gutiérrez had escaped the attention of the opponent and, after a run in the depth, cleverly crossed past Sithole, who made light contact. The red card was a logical consequence. Sithole thought it was exaggerated, but he hit Gutiérrez with his hands and legs and so he was allowed to leave.

Mexico did not get a penalty and no goal was created from the free kick. Shortly afterwards, striker Jiménez was able to force the decision with an excellent header. The Fulham striker, who recently returned to relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free transfer, neatly completed a cross at a time when the home crowd started to grumble.

Mexico could not express its numerical superiority in goals and apparently left something to do. The Mexicans in the stands showed their displeasure and Jiménez promptly scored.

Things got much worse for South Africa after that, as Sithole wasn’t the only player sent off. After a VAR intervention, referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio had to go to the screen and he had no choice but to conclude that another player had to be taken off the field.

South Africa had to continue with nine men because Themba Zwane had struck a blow. Quite stupid, because cameras nowadays record everything and the video referee has to intervene in these types of actions.

Mexico could no longer make use of their dominance and did not achieve a huge victory, but they did take three important points against a team that could well become the weakest brother in group A.

In the final phase, the home country also lost another player to a red card: defender César Montes had to withdraw after a fairly brutal foul. That seemed a bit harshly punished, as there was no direct scoring opportunity yet.

The Mexicans didn’t care too much and cherished the points. They will compete against South Korea and the Czech Republic later in the group stage of the tournament.