During the afternoon of this Thursday, June 11, the selection of Mexico defeated 2-0 South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 World Cupwith which the Tricolor signed his eighth debut consecutive without losing in World Cups and maintains the hope of reaching the semifinals of the most prestigious tournament of all for the first time.
El Tri’s hero was the naturalized Mexican Colombian striker Julian Quiñoneswho in his first World Cup with the Mexican team showed that he is made for important moments and, in the 9th minute, scored the first goal of the match, with which 87 thousand spectators in the Mexico City Stadium They went crazy and lost their voices.
As hosts, Mexico hopes to finish first in the Group Aabove South Africa, Czech Republic and South Koreaso the victory on the first day awakened the enthusiasm of millions of Mexicans, who had to wait four decades for the World Cup to return to Mexican territory since the edition of 1986.
El Tri’s surprising streak shows that Mexico usually starts the World Cups on the right foot, but as the games go by he loses impulse and is usually eliminated in the round of 16. However, this will be the first World Cup with sixteenths final, so they will have to play one more match to reach that stage.
Mexico’s latest World Cup debuts
Qatar 2022: Mexico 0-0 Poland
On November 22, 2022, at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, the match between Mexico and Polandcorresponding to the first day of Group C, ended with a tie 0-0. The most relevant event occurred in the second half, when Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa saved a penalty against Robert Lewandowski and became a hero.
Russia 2018: Mexico 1-0 Germany
The Mexican team defeated Germany on June 17, 2018 during the group stage of the World Cup in Russia. This match, played in Luzhniki Stadium of Moscowis remembered as one of the most triumphs important of Mexican soccer, given that he beat the then champion of the world with a goal Hirving Lozano.
Brazil 2014: Mexico 1-0 Cameroon
The Mexican team defeated 1-0 Cameroon on June 13, 2014 in the group stage of the World Cup in Brazil. The only goal of the match, played at the Arena das Dunas in Natal, was scored by Oribe Peralta at minute 60, in a match remembered for the goals disallowed by Giovani dos Santosformer FC Barcelona player.
South Africa 2010: Mexico 1-1 South Africa
The opening match of the 2010 World Cup between South Africa and Mexico ended in a 1-1 draw. Siphiwe Tshabalala opened the scoring for the locals and Rafael Marquez equalized for El Tri at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, in the match that marked the start of the first World Cup held on the continent African.
Germany 2006: Mexico 3-1 Iran
On June 11, 2006, at the Frankenstadion in Nuremberg, Mexico defeated 3-1 Iran in their debut in Group D of the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Zinha He was the figure of the game by registering an assist and a goal, but the Mexicans especially remember Oswaldo Sanchezwho played after the recent death of his father.
Japan 2002: Mexico 1-0 Croatia
Mexico defeated 1-0 Croatia on June 3, 2002 at the Great Swan Stadium in Niigata, Japanin their debut in Group G of the Korea-Japan World Cup. The winning goal was scored by Cuauhtémoc Blanco through a penalty kick in the 60th minute, an action that also led to the expulsion of the Croatian defender Boris Živković.
France 1998: Mexico 3-1 South Korea
Corresponding to the first day of Group E of the 1998 World Cup, Mexico defeated 3-1 South Korea on June 13 in Lyon. During this meeting, Cuauhtemoc Blanco made his move for the first time in a World Cup, the cuauhteminaa dribble that became one of the most remembered actions of his entire career.
USA 1994: Norway 1-0 Mexico
Mexico’s last defeat in a World Cup debut was against Norway in the World Cup. 1994. The match was played on June 19 at the Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington, where the Norwegians took the three points thanks to a goal from Kjetil Rekdal at minute 84, which meant the first World Cup victory for his team.