Two matches. Two results that nobody saw coming. Day one of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ group stage did not ease fans in gently — it threw them straight into chaos, character, and a late substitute winner that will be talked about for weeks. Here is everything that happened on June 12.
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Match 1 — Mexico 2–0 South Africa | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City | 12:30 AM IST
The tournament opened at the Azteca — a venue hosting a World Cup for an unprecedented third time — and Mexico made it count. A goal in the 9th minute from Julián Quiñones set the tone, and Raúl Jiménez added a second-half header to seal a 2–0 win that felt comfortable despite the extraordinary scenes around it.
Three red cards. That is the headline from Group A’s opener. South Africa midfielder Yaya Sithole was dismissed in the 49th minute for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. In the 83rd minute, substitute Themba Zwane followed him after a VAR review for violent conduct — reducing Bafana Bafana to nine men. Then, deep in stoppage time, Mexico captain César Montes picked up a straight red for a cynical foul, meaning he will miss the next match against Korea Republic.
The result sets Mexico up well. But Montes’s suspension complicates things. World Cup Football 2026™ has started exactly as promised — nothing is simple, nothing is clean, and every match carries consequences.
Match 2 — Korea Republic 2–1 Czechia | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara | 7:30 AM IST
Korea Republic dominated from the first whistle, racked up eight shot attempts, saw Son Heung-min squander two clear chances — and somehow found themselves 1–0 down at the 58th minute. Ladislav Krejčí powered home a header from a Vladimír Coufal throw, punishing Korea’s inability to convert their possession into goals.
The equaliser, when it came, was worth the wait. Hwang In-beom received a pass inside the Czech box, stopped — completely deceiving the goalkeeper and two defenders — and slotted into an almost empty net. Pure composure. Pure intelligence. 1–1 in the 66th minute.
Czechia thought they had retaken the lead in the 77th minute when Tomáš Souček headed home from a free kick. VAR ruled it out for offside. Two minutes later, substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu tapped in a Hwang cross at the back post to make it 2–1. Korea Republic held on through two Kim Seung-gyu saves in the closing minutes to take the three points.
One vulnerability worth noting for Korea Republic fans: their defence at set pieces looked shaky. Krejčí’s goal will not be an isolated incident if teams identify that weakness.
The big picture after Day 1
Group A standings after matchday one: Mexico on 3 points, Korea Republic on 3 points, Czechia on 0, South Africa on 0. The permutations are already fascinating. Mexico and Korea Republic face each other in the next round of Group A fixtures — a clash that now carries major implications.
Two matches into the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, the tournament has produced three red cards, a disallowed goal, a VAR drama, and a finish that arrived two minutes after the crowd thought it was all over. Day one delivered. Day two is next.
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