<p>Kicking off football’s global showpiece for the second time in 16 years, Mexico and South Africa walked out to a fervent atmosphere inside the historic Azteca Stadium.</p><p>El Tri nearly rewarded the passionate home support with a breakthrough inside five minutes, only for Raul Jimenez’s powerful low effort to be smartly turned around the post by Ronwen Williams. </p><p><strong>Bafana Bafana didn’t heed that early warning, though, and Mexico were soon celebrating the tournament’s opening goal, as a loose touch from Yaya Sithole was pounced upon by Julian Quinones, who fired an unerring finish through the legs of Williams to send the crowd into bedlam.</strong></p><p>Clocked at nine minutes, that strike was the earliest the first goal of a World Cup had been scored since Philipp Lahm in 2006.</p><p>Javier Aguirre’s side looked to build on their fast start, with man-of-the-moment Quinones trying his luck from range before Roberto Alvarado saw a cross-shot repelled by the South African stopper.</p><p>The one-way traffic showed no signs of relenting as half-time approached, and Mexico came within inches of deservedly doubling their lead, as Quinones swept a side-footed effort agonisingly against the base of the post.</p><p>Grateful to only be one goal behind, South Africa knew a positive start to the second period was needed; however, Hugo Broos’ side found themselves reduced to 10 men in the 49th minute when Sithole was dismissed for fouling Brian Gutierrez as the last man.</p><p><strong>Armed with the numerical advantage, as well as all the momentum, Mexico ramped up the pressure with time heading into the final half-hour, and a second goal duly arrived, as Jimenez capped off his first start in a World Cup with his first-ever goal at a finals, converting at the back post from Alvarado’s inviting delivery.</strong></p><p>That all but ended the match as a contest, and Bafana Bafana’s misery was compounded late on when substitute Themba Zwane was shown a straight red card for an altercation with Alvarado.</p><p>South Africa looked to avoid further damage with nine men in the closing stages, and those hopes were aided by Mexico picking up a red card themselves, with Cesar Montes harshly sent off for a cynical foul on Khuliso Mudau.</p><p>Despite that footnote, El Tri saw out their victory, picking up a valuable three points to lay down an early marker in Group A.</p><p><strong>Flashscore Man of the Match: Julian Quinones (Mexico)</strong></p><p><strong>Catch up on all the match stats with Flashscore.</strong></p>