FLASH
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Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup didn't just bring home the first three points of the tournament. The match, held at the legendary Azteca Stadium, also went down in history for some special records and statistics that may have gone unnoticed by many fans.
1. An opening match that returns after 16 years
Mexico and South Africa repeated their 2010 World Cup duel when they faced off in the tournament's inaugural match in Johannesburg, which ended in a 1-1 draw. After 16 years, the two nations met again in the opening match, setting a unique precedent in World Cup history: the first time the same opening match has been played twice.
2. “Azteca” solidifies its legendary status
Mexico City's iconic stadium continued to make history. The clash between Mexico and South Africa was the 20th World Cup match to be held at the Azteca, making it the stadium that has hosted more matches in the competition than any other facility in the world. The Mexican arena leads the standings with five more matches than its nearest rival.
3. Mexico, record after record without winning the trophy
This was Mexico's 18th appearance in a World Cup, more than any other CONCACAF team. However, the Mexican team still holds an unenviable record: they are the team that has played the most matches in the tournament's history without winning the trophy, with a total of 60 matches.
4. Gilberto Mora, the face of the new generation
The match also brought a symbolic moment for Mexican football. Gilberto Mora became the first player born after the 2006 World Cup final to play in this edition of the tournament, officially marking the arrival of a new generation on the most prestigious stage of world football.
5. More red cards than goals
The match was characterised by high tension and harsh tackles, forcing the referee to issue three red cards. As a result, the match saw more sending-offs than goals scored, a rare statistic in World Cup history. Meanwhile, South Africa became the first team to be sent off twice in a World Cup match since 2006, when Portugal and the Netherlands played out the famous “Battle of Nuremberg”.
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