With controversy, chaos, and the handing out of three red cards, the 23rd FIFA World Cup got off to a positive, if not dramatic start in Mexico City last night. The splendour of the opening ceremony at the world famous Azteca Stadium in Mexico City set the tone for what was a strange opening game of the tournament, as co-hosts Mexico swept aside a toothless South African team by two goals to nil, with Julián Quiñones and Raul Jiménez ensuring that at least one of the three home nations get off to a winning start at this year's edition of the tournament. Quiñones scored the opening goal just nine minutes into play, which as it so happens was the quickest opening goal in the first game of a World Cup since Philipp Lahm fired Germany in front of Costa Rica after six minutes in 2006; Quiñones capitalised after a dreadful touch from South African midfielder Sphephelo Sithole allowed Érik Lima to win the ball from him in his own 18 yard box, before passing it to the Mexican forward, who had a rather easy job to score the opener. Raul Jiménez, who re-signed for former club Wolves in the week, put the result beyond doubt with a lovely cushioned header in the 67th minute, sealing all three points for Mexico, meaning that if they were to get anything from their final two group games, they would most likely secure safe passage through to the Round of 32.
The game was marred with refereeing drama, as Brazilian official Wilton Sampaio sent off three players; the aforementioned Sithole for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity, Themba Zwane for violent conduct, and Mexican César Montes for denying another obvious goalscoring opportunity, bringing the total number of dismissals to three, one behind the total amount of four people sent off at the last World Cup in Qatar. Elsewhere in Guadalajara, South Korea came from behind to beat Czechia with a late comeback inspired by Feyenoord's In-Beom Hwang, who scored and provided for both goals to seal a 2-1 win over Miroslav Koubek's Czech side, meaning that both Mexico and South Korea top Group A with three points, with Mexico marginally ahead on goal difference.
