Co-hosts Mexico take early lead against South Africa in World Cup opener.
Lift off in the 2026 World Cup!
It comes from a South Africa blunder and Julian Quinones is on hand to slot home, between the goalkeeper's legs.
The Mexican has the opening goal of the World Cup. Not bad, eh?
Julian Quinones' goal is the earliest the first goal of a Fifa World Cup tournament has been scored since 2006, when Philipp Lahm netted for Germany v Costa Rica after six minutes.
The Azteca stadium exploded with noise as Mexico took the lead. Drinks were thrown in the air, paper sombreros flying around and Mexican music blasting from the speakers as the tens of thousands of Mexico fans rose to their feet, hugging and dancing with each other to celebrate.
It’s the perfect start for Mexico and the perfect start for the majority of the 87,000 fans here. The party in the Azteca has begun!
South Africa enjoy their first real spell of possession of the game but Teboho Mokoena receives the first yellow card of the tournament for a lunged tackle.
No exaggeration, but South Africa could have had four yellow cards. A frustrating start for South Africa.
Mexico have come into the World Cup with a bit of decent form - unbeaten in eight.
Julian Quinones with a really sharp turn, and he has already got a goal, so he is thinking – why don't I have another pop?
