Mexico’s fiery start and South Korea’s comeback win gave the tournament an immediate jolt, just before Canada is set to begin its own journey.
The first day of the expanded World Cup delivered exactly what a global debut should: noise, tension, and a few moments that will be remembered long after the group stage ends. Two Group A matches opened a 39-day tournament that will feature 104 games across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, and both contests suggested that the new 48-team format will reward teams that stay composed under pressure.
Mexico Turned a Home Opener Into a Statement
The tournament began at the Estadio Azteca, where a massive crowd created a charged atmosphere before kickoff and the opening ceremony added extra spectacle. Once the match started, Mexico wasted little time giving its supporters something to celebrate.
In the ninth minute, Erik Lira forced a turnover in South Africa’s build-out, and Julián Quiñones finished the move by sliding the ball through Ronwen Williams’ legs for the tournament’s first goal. Later, Raúl Jiménez delivered the emotional moment of the night, heading in his first World Cup goal and reacting with clear relief after the serious head injury that once threatened his career.
The match also became a disciplinary outlier. Referee Wilton Sampaio issued three red cards, the most in a World Cup opener and the first time a World Cup match had seen three dismissals in two decades. South Africa lost Sphephelo Sithole in the first half and Themba Zwane after a video review caught an ugly swipe at Roberto Alvarado. Mexico’s César Montes was then sent off late for stopping a breakaway. Each player is now suspended for the next group match.
For the hosts, the result carried real historical weight. Mexico had never won its opening match at a World Cup before, having previously recorded five losses and two draws, but Javier Aguirre’s team changed that in front of its home crowd. The performance also featured 17-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora in an important role, giving the match a glimpse of the next generation as well as a strong start to the present.
South Korea Showed Calm Under Pressure
If Mexico’s game was defined by chaos, South Korea’s second Group A match in Guadalajara was defined by control and persistence. The team fell behind Czechia, then methodically found a way back into the match and eventually walked away with a 2-1 victory.
The first half did little to lift the mood, and both sides were booed off the field at halftime. Czechia drew first blood in the 59th minute when captain Ladislav Krejčí rose to head in a long throw, a reminder of how dangerous their set-piece game can be. South Korea answered with the best team move of the day. Lee Kang-in slipped a pass to Hwang In-beom, who used a clever feint to shake off defenders and the goalkeeper before placing the equalizer into the corner. The sequence took 25 passes, which made it one of the longest build-ups ever to end in a World Cup goal.
The match seemed to swing again when Tomáš Souček headed in what appeared to be a late Czech winner, but the flag went up and review confirmed the offside. South Korea punished that let-off almost immediately. Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu, who later said a high fever nearly kept him out of the match, finished a low cross from Hwang to score the winner. Kim Seung-gyu then protected the lead with an important stoppage-time save.
A few details made the victory even more notable:
- South Korea finished with 15 shots, nearly double Czechia’s total.
- Son Heung-min became one of only two players to appear in four World Cups for South Korea.
- The win strengthened South Korea’s case as a serious dark-horse contender.
Canada Now Steps Into the Spotlight
After those two results, Group A is already tight at the top. Mexico and South Korea each have three points, with Mexico holding the edge on goal difference. South Africa and Czechia now face quick corrections, with both teams needing to recover from defeats and deal with the consequences of suspensions or selection changes.
For Canadian fans, the wait is almost over. Canada begins its own tournament on Friday at a sold-out BMO Field in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the first men’s World Cup match ever played on Canadian soil. Jesse Marsch’s team is in Group B with Bosnia, Qatar, and Switzerland, and it will complete the group stage at BC Place in Vancouver.
The opening day offered Canada a clear preview of the environment waiting ahead: noisy stadiums, high stakes, and no room for hesitation. With the hosts from the other two nations already on the board and South Korea making a convincing early case, Canada enters with both pressure and opportunity. The tournament has barely started, but it already feels unpredictable enough to keep every team alert.
