Noureldein GhanemMexican fans have erupted in joy and celebration after El Tri beat South Africa 2-0 at Estadio Azteca in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener, breaking their opening match curse.
"I think it was an exciting game. I like the attitude and commitment of the Mexican players," Erik Perea, a 49-year-old public servant, tells TRT World.
"It's very important to begin with a win, and it will be a very motivating factor for the next matches."
An early goal by Julian Quinones in the ninth minute put Mexico in the lead. In the second leg, a goal by striker Raul Jimenez in the 67th minute secured El Tri's win over the Bafana Bafana, who returned to the grandest stage for the first time since 2010, when they hosted the tournament.
Thursday's victory ended Mexico's opening-match curse.
They had never won their opening World Cup match in seven attempts, recording five defeats and two draws during previous tournaments.
"It was a good match… It became a historic game because it was the first time Mexico won a World Cup opening match," Cristian Neri, a 28-year-old data engineer, tells TRT World.
Ireri Zamudio, 29, who watched the game from Ocoyaocac municipality in the state of Mexico, says that Mexico could have taken advantage of the two red cards South Africa received, which reduced their team to nine players.
Mexico also received a red card in the closing stages of the match.
"I think it was an intense match. There were three red cards in total, and I think Mexico could have taken greater advantage of the game to strengthen its position in the group. However, I’m happy with the result," Zamudio tells TRT World.
Festive opener
Estadio Azteca was filled to capacity, with more than 80,000 fans attending the opening of the tournament.
A dazzling ceremony set the stage before kickoff, with Colombian megastar Shakira and Nigerian star Burna Boy energising fans through a performance of "Dai Dai," the official song of the tournament.
The ceremony added to the hype and left fans waiting for more football marathon during the World Cup.
"I think the atmosphere is great because of the people, who always support the Mexican team," Perea says.
Amilcar Paz, a 50-year-old business owner, tells TRT World that despite economic and social problems in the country, the opening ceremony was fantastic.
"The atmosphere in the stadium felt fantastic, and despite the economic and social problems in Mexico, the opening was a success," says Paz.
Boosting El Tri's hopes
The win boosts Mexico's hopes of qualifying for the Round of 32, but the fight won't be easy.
Group A includes South Korea and the Czech Republic, both of which will be fighting for a knockout-stage ticket along with South Africa.
However, that has not stopped Mexicans from being optimistic about their team's road following today's win.
"I believe that the Mexican team will go to the quarter-finals; I'll pray for that to happen. I would like Mexico to get the final game," Perea says.
Zamudio says El Tri have better chances than other teams in the group.
"I think we have a slightly higher level than the other teams in our group, which makes it a bit easier to go further in the tournament than in previous editions," she emphasises.
Paz is less optimistic but confident that Mexico will at least reach the round of 32, the first of the knockout stages.
"I think they'll only reach the round of 32. They're likely to draw their next two group stage matches," he predicts.
It is still early to draw a picture of Mexico's pathway in the tournament; however, Neri is confident El Tri will go far regardless of opponents.
The furthest Mexico have ever progressed in the World Cup is the quarter-finals, which they reached in 1970 and 1986. Mexico hosted both tournaments on home soil, with the historic Estadio Azteca staging both finals.
