South Africa’s Winless World Cup Opening‑Game Streak Extends After Mexico Loss

Bafana Bafana lost 2‑0 to Mexico in their opening World Cup match, having played much of the second half with ten men and finishing the game with nine.

The defeat keeps South Africa winless in their first four World Cup matches. They lost 3‑0 to France in 1998, drew 2‑2 with Paraguay in 2002, and drew 1‑1 with Mexico in the 2010 opener on home soil.

Mexico started brightly, nearly taking the lead in the third minute when Raúl Jiménez unleashed a powerful volley from outside the penalty area, but Ronwen Williams made an excellent save to keep the scores level.

The breakthrough came five minutes later after a costly mistake. Williams passed to Sphephelo Sithole, who seemed unprepared to receive the ball under intense pressure from Mexican forwards. The hosts dispossessed the midfielder just outside the 18‑yard box before Julián Quiñones drilled a low shot past Williams to make it 1‑0 in the eighth minute.

Bafana Bafana almost answered immediately from the resulting corner. They launched a swift counter‑attack, but Lyle Foster failed to deliver the final pass to Iqraam Rayners after a promising break.

Mexico continued to threaten before the interval. In the 41st minute, Jiménez was played through on goal but Williams made another crucial save. A minute later, Quiñones came close to doubling the advantage when his effort struck the post.

The second half began with another scare for South Africa. Williams misplaced a pass in the 46th minute, allowing Mexico to win possession in a dangerous area. Fortunately for the visitors, Érick Gutiérrez fired his effort over the crossbar.

South Africa’s task became significantly harder two minutes later when Sithole received a straight red card after bringing down Gutiérrez. The midfielder was through on goal and bearing down on Williams just outside the penalty area.

Mexico eventually capitalised on their numerical advantage in the 66th minute. Jiménez rose at the far post to head home and extend the lead to 2‑0.

The drama was not over. In the 83rd minute, Themba Zwane was shown a red card for slapping Roberto Alvarado, reducing Mzansi to nine players. Mexico also finished the match with ten men when César Montes received a red card in the 90th minute for a foul on Khuliso Mudau.

South Africa will now look to bounce back when they face the Czech Republic on Thursday, 18 June.