12/06/2026
Three players were sent off as World Cup co-hosts Mexico defeated South Africa in a dramatic opening match at a packed Azteca Stadium.*
South Africa finished with nine men as they lost the opening game to Mexico 2-0 while the North Americans were also reduced to 10 in the closing moments.
Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio produced the flurry of red cards dismissing South Africa's Yaya Sithole for denying a goalscoring opportunity and Themba Zwane for a slap, then sending off Mexico's Cesar Montes for a late foul.
Only four red cards were shown in the entire Qatar 2022 World Cup while three had never been shown in a tournament-opening game before.