Mexico 1-0 South Africa LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup 2026: Julian Quinones Pounces To Give El Tri The Perfect Start

Quinones is in the mood after his opener and he's hungry for another. He winds up from outside the area and unleashes a right-footer that has everyone holding their breath, the ball clips the top of the net and bounces away. Inches. That close.

A quality strike that could easily have made it two and buried South Africa completely. The Colombian-born striker is playing with real edge now.

Teboho Mokoena picks up the first yellow of the match. South Africa's midfielder is being run ragged by Mexico's relentless pressing, and now he's in the referee's book. With Mokoena already on a caution, South Africa need to be careful here, they can't afford to lose bodies with the way Mexico are dominating possession.

Mexico work the corner but Williams is equal to it, punching away Jimenez's flick without fuss. That's the only moment of respite though. South Africa are suffocating in their own defensive third right now, completely hemmed in. Mexico aren't letting them breathe.

There it is! Mexico have the lead and the stadium's gone absolutely wild. Williams does it again, another error from the back, playing a teammate into trouble and it's immediately pressed.

The space opens up and Julian Quinones is through, courtesy of Erik Lira's ball, and he doesn't waste it. Clinical finish past the keeper. The Colombian-born striker has just given Mexico the perfect start and Mexico City is roaring.

Sloppy from Williams in possession. The South Africa keeper tries to play it out but gives his teammate absolutely nothing to work with, the ball's gone and out it comes for a throw. But Mexico don't need much here. Alvarado gets clattered shortly after and there's the free kick they want, in a threatening position.

The whistle's gone and we're off. Mexico are knocking it around early, getting a touch and a feel for things as the crowd in Mexico City cranks up the volume. South Africa aren't interested in chasing shadows just yet, they're sitting compact, letting the hosts have the ball while they get their shape sorted. Classic opening minutes stuff. Both sides getting their bearings.

The home crowd's voice carries through the ground now, singing every word like they mean it. There's real weight to this, you can feel how much it matters to them. The pitch is ready. Everything's about to kick off.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is ready for lift-off as co-hosts Mexico face South Africa in the tournament opener at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Mexico enter the clash unbeaten in their last eight matches and backed by a packed home crowd, while South Africa return to football's biggest stage for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010. With the first points of Group A on the line and a historic 48-team World Cup underway, both sides will be eager to make a strong start.

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• Location: Mexico City, Mexico

• Stadium: Mexico City Stadium

• Date: Thursday, 11 June

• Kick-off time: 12/06/2026 – 12:30 AM (IST)

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be telecast live on Unite8 Sports network on television. For live streaming, one can catch the action on the Zee5 app and website.

THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER! The biggest football show on the planet is here and we are kicking things off with our first live blog of the FIFA World Cup 2026 as hosts Mexico take on South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca. New tournament, bigger stage, opening-night nerves -- we’ve got it all covered. Stay with us for live updates as the World Cup officially gets underway.