New Delhi: Day 1 of the FIFA World Cup saw three Red cards and a 2-1 dramatic comeback, the kind of expectations and drama the tournament carries. While Mexico routed South Africa 2-0 in the opening fixture, South Korea displayed dominant football against Czechia.
For months, the debate around the 2026 World Cup revolved around its size, logistics and the challenge of staging football’s biggest event across three countries. However, it took less than a day for football to reclaim the spotlight.
The opening match at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico was proof that FIFA World Cup football is not usually straightforward. There were goals, flying tackles, confrontations and three red cards in a chaotic contest that had one clear-cut winner. Mexico emerged victorious 2-0 over South Africa, but the scoreline did not sum up the game for the fans.
Julián Quiñones settled nerves with an early goal, a low rifle shot which went through the legs of the South African goalkeeper. In the second half, Raúl Jiménez added another to the team’s name with a perfectly timed run into the box and heading it calmly into the net to seal the victory.
Yet the defining moments of the opening fixture were the referee, who repeatedly reached for his pocket as tempers boiled over. South Africa finished with nine men, while Mexico also lost a player in the extra time. It was the first World Cup opening match to feature three red cards.
Mexico midfielder Erik Lira summed up the mood best after the victory. “The sky is the limit,” he said.
His optimism was reflected in the mood of more than 80,000 supporters inside the stadium. Mexico had never won an opening World Cup match before. They finally broke that pattern in front of the home fans.
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South Korea’s dominance
While Mexico’s victory was built on emotion, South Korea’s win over Czechia was built on sticking to the plan.
In the second fixture in Guadalajara, Mexico, South Korea looked the sharper side. Their passing was spotless, movement more purposeful, and attacks more consistent. Yet Czechia scored the opening goal from a dead-ball situation against the run of play. Centre back Ladislav Krejčí rose above the defenders to slot it into the net.
South Korea’s response, however, revealed why many consider them as one of Asia’s strongest sides. The team did not panic. The players stuck to their textbook plan and continued their gameplay. Hwang In-beom equalised before substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu completed a deserved 2-1 comeback.
World Cups often expose nerves in opening matches. But South Korea handled that situation calmly.
Together, the two matches offered a glimpse of what this World Cup could is all about. Mexico vs South Africa showed that international football can be messy, emotional and electrifying. South Korea vs Czechia demonstrated that calm heads can outdo opponents in a noisy atmosphere.
There are already heroes, villains, red cards and comeback stories in the FIFA World Cup. The tournament has already delivered on its first day. And if the opening day is any indication, the road to the final may not be predicted as any other World Cup.