World Cup | More Red Cards Than Goals! World Cup Opening Match Breaks Records > 공지사항

Four years later, the World Cup is finally back. The 2026 USA-Canadian World Cup kicks off in Mexico. Similar to Mexico's fiery spirit, the opening match was equally intense, with the referee issuing three red cards in a single game – an unprecedented occurrence in a World Cup opening match.

More red cards than goals: World Cup opening match breaks records.

In the early hours of June 12th, Beijing time, host nation Mexico faced South Africa on home soil in the World Cup opening match, with the final score being 2-0.

Just nine minutes into the game, Mexican striker Quiniones capitalized on a South African defensive error, slotting the ball home from the edge of the penalty area. This was the first goal of the tournament and set the third-fastest goal in World Cup opening match history, behind only Brazil's Sampaio in 1998 (4th minute) and Germany's Lahm in 2006 (6th minute).

In the 67th minute, Raul Jimenez headed in a goal assisted by a teammate, scoring his first World Cup goal. This was his fourth World Cup appearance, and Jimenez was moved to tears after scoring.

While the two goals were considered relatively normal, the referee's speed in issuing cards in the second half far exceeded fans' expectations.

In the 49th minute, Mexico launched a counter-attack, and Gutierrez was brought down from behind by South African defender Sisor. The referee immediately showed a straight red card, leaving South Africa with 10 men. In the 84th minute, Zwane violently struck Alvarado in the face. VAR intervened, and after reviewing the footage, the referee again showed a straight red card, leaving South Africa with only 9 men. Just two minutes later, as the match was nearing its end, Mexico's captain Montes received his second yellow card and was also sent off.

The records didn't stop there. Mexico's 17-year-old and 240-day-old prodigy, Mora, came on as a substitute in the 66th minute, making his World Cup debut. At this age, he broke the 96-year record held by Mexican legend Manuel Rosas. Rosas made his World Cup debut at 18 years and 88 days old against France in 1930, previously holding the title of Mexico's youngest World Cup appearance.

Following this match, Mexico also broke a 76-year-old "curse"—they had never won a World Cup opening match in their previous seven appearances, losing five and drawing two. Playing on home soil, Mexico finally tore away this embarrassing chapter in history in the summer of 2026.

After the match, many Mexican media outlets used "Curse Broken" as their headline, stating that the roar, chants, and waves at the Aztec Stadium may have already secured its place as one of the best stadiums of the World Cup. The Independent even described the entire opening match as "deafening." Currently, according to data disclosed by foreign media, the opening match attracted a staggering 80,824 spectators.

However, for the South African team, suffering a crushing defeat with two red cards and zero goals in their first match back at the World Cup after 16 years was all too bitter. After all, in the previous two World Cups, there were only four red cards throughout the entire tournament, while this World Cup reached the maximum number of red cards in just one match.