World Cup begins with Mexico victory as Bafana Bafana lose two players to red cards

As they opened the world's premier football event for the second time in sixteen years, Mexico and South Africa entered the pitch to an electric atmosphere inside the historic Azteca Stadium.

El Tri almost gave the passionate home crowd an early breakthrough within five minutes, only for Ronwen Williams to cleverly tip Raul Jimenez's powerful low shot around the post.

Bafana Bafana failed to heed that warning, and Mexico soon celebrated the tournament's first goal when a loose touch from Yaya Sithole was pounced on by Julian Quinones, who fired an accurate shot between Williams's legs to send the crowd into chaos.

That strike, at nine minutes, was the earliest first goal of a World Cup since Philipp Lahm in 2006.

Javier Aguirre's side sought to capitalise on their fast start, with star man Quinones attempting a long-range effort, while Roberto Alvarado saw a cross kept out by the South African goalkeeper.

The dominance continued as half-time approached, and Mexico nearly doubled their lead when Quinones fired a side-footed shot heartbreakingly off the base of the post.

Thankful to be only a goal behind, South Africa knew a strong start to the second half was needed; however, Hugo Broos's side were reduced to ten men in the 49th minute when Sithole was sent off for fouling Brian Gutierrez as the last defender.

With the extra player and all the momentum, Mexico increased the pressure as the final half-hour approached, and a second goal soon came. Jimenez marked his first World Cup start with his first goal in the finals, tapping in at the far post from Alvarado's tempting cross.

That effectively sealed the match, and Bafana Bafana's suffering increased late on when substitute Themba Zwane was given a direct red card for a confrontation with Alvarado.

South Africa tried to prevent more goals with nine men in the closing stages, and their efforts were helped by Mexico also receiving a red card, as Cesar Montes was controversially dismissed for a professional foul on Khuliso Mudau.

Despite that late incident, El Tri secured their victory, earning a valuable three points to set an early benchmark in Group A.