Matchday 1 at the FIFA World Cup saw one of the co-hosts get a win and another match that felt like a rollercoaster.
Yeah, two matches in the books, and two matches that delivered in full.
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
In front of the roaring home fans at the Mexico City Stadium (or the Azteca as most of us know it), Mexico handily defeated South Africa 2-0 in the first match of the 2026 World Cup.
The opening match of this year’s tournament was a repeat of 16 years ago, when South Africa hosted the tournament. But this time, Mexico had the home fans on their side, and they boosted their national side from the first whistle.
Mexico got its dream start less than 10 minutes in at Mexico City Stadium. Érik Lira pushed the South African defender off the ball, leaving space for Julián Quiñones to pounce on and unleash a low shot towards goal.
It was too much for South African keeper, Ronwen Williams, as the ball went through his legs and behind him for the first goal of the World Cup in the ninth minute.
Mexico had ample chances to double its lead in the first half through a high press, but Williams was alert, saving his backline on a number of occasions. The South African keeper was also helped by his posts, particularly in the 41st minute, as Quiñones beat Williams but not the upright.
South Africa’s afternoon was made more difficult in the 50th minute after Sphephelo Sithole brought down Brian Gutiérrez at the edge of the 18-yard box on a clear break. The straight red was given for the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO).
Sithole’s match was one to forget as he was also the South African player whose error in the first half led to Mexico’s goal.
It did not take long for Mexico to take advantage of the extra man. Raul Jiménez timed his run to the back post as the cross came in high from the right side of the pitch. There was little Williams could do as he watched the ball float by him, doubling Mexico’s lead in the 67th minute.
Calamity compiled for South Africa with another straight red card in the 84th minute. After a VAR check, the Brazilian referee, Wilton Sampaio, was sent to the monitor.
The result was Themba Zwane being sent off for a reckless and dangerous challenge.
Mexico got a red card of their own in stoppage time. Another DOGSO play, this time it was César Montes sent off for the ill-timed challenge.
South Africa was unable to make anything of the fewer players as the first match of the 2026 World Cup ended 2-0 for the co-hosts.
Korea Republic 2-1 Czechia
The first half was a cagey one for Korea Republic and Czechia as both nations tried to work each other out. Their only other previous match against one another, a 2-1 win for the Asian side, came 10 years ago in 2016.
Kang-in Lee had the first shot on target for either team, one from distance in the 14th minute, testing the Czech keeper, Matej Kovár.
Son Heung-Min had several attempts on his own, pressuring the Czech backline, but to no avail.
Czechia had few chances, failing to test the Korean goalkeeper, but they were moving the ball well, particularly through Lukás Provod. However, once the European nation had the ball forward, Korea Republic was efficient in cutting out any chance of a cross.
Arguably, Korea Republic had the more dominant display throughout the first half. However, while they found it easy to cut through the Czech midfield, they had no forward numbers and were unable to take advantage of their forward position.
Hwang In-Boem’s shot in the early part of the second half caught Kovár off guard. The Czech keeper made the save but spilled the rebound to Jae-Sung Lee.
Lee’s shot forced an instinctive save from Kovár, two huge saves within seconds of one another.
Kovár’s heroics are one end enabled Czechia to take advantage of set pieces at the other. Ladislav Krejcí got high for a long throw and headed the ball in with power in the 57th minute.
It was a fitting goal for Czechia, given that half of their goals during qualification were from set pieces as well.
But Korea Republic was not done. In-Boem moved into the 18-yard box and received the ball as Kovár came out to challenge him. But In-Boem displayed patience as he let Kovár commit first, then flick the ball over the keeper as the ball slowly travelled over the line in the 66th minute.
Czechia thought they had the winner in the 77th minute off another set piece, a free kick, as Tomás Soucek got up high for the header, but it was ruled offside.
Instead, it was Korea Republic, only three minutes later, that took the win. In-Boem was once again involved as his cross found Hyun-Gyu Oh racing into the 6-yard box. The pass was pinpoint, only requiring Oh to redirect it goalward.
World Cup player of the matchday – Hwang In-Boem
The former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder was electric for Korea Republic, contributing a goal and an assist in his nation’s win over Czechia.
He completed 73 of his 81 pass attempts (90 per cent). Defensively, he was strong as well, with three defensive contributions and five recoveries.
Up next
Tomorrow sees Canada play their first match at Toronto Stadium against Bosnia & Herzegovina. Kick-off of that match is at noon PST.
The USA will also play Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium at 6 p.m.
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