At Azteca Stadium on 11/6, Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 with goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez. However, the match was marred by three red cards: Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off for South Africa, while Cesar Montes of Mexico received a red card in injury time.

Klopp highlighted Montes' foul on Khuliso Mudau, occurring when Mexico already had a two-player advantage, as an example of the tactical errors made by both teams.

"That situation somewhat reflected the entire match," the former German coach analyzed on ZDF. "The tactics were simply poor. Neither team played well. They were playing 11 against 9 and still conceded counter-attacks. Why? Because the defense was positioned too deep. That was a problem throughout the match. South Africa also failed to capitalize on it. This was not a top-tier match."

Cesar Montes (blue jersey) fouls Khuliso Mudau and receives a direct red card in the opening match of Group A, World Cup 2026, at Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico on 11/6/2026. Photo: Reuters

Klopp, currently the Global Director of Football for Red Bull, was present at Azteca Stadium to watch the World Cup 2026 opening match. He will be one of the prominent commentators throughout the 40-day tournament held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Echoing Klopp's sentiments, former German international Christoph Kramer also expressed disappointment with the quality of the opening match. Kramer previously played for Leverkusen, Bochum, and Gladbach at the club level and was a member of the German squad that won the 2014 World Cup.

"I felt the atmosphere was very passionate and thought that would create higher intensity, more open spaces," Kramer commented. "But then the players weren't truly focused on one-on-one challenges. It's great that the match was held here, but it felt more like a charity friendly than a World Cup opener."

Beyond the disappointing performance, the World Cup 2026 opening match took place amidst social unrest in Mexico. The Mexico City Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC CDMX) reported that approximately 200 masked individuals clashed with police outside the stadium before the situation was brought under control. A 28-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the incident but later released.

The Mexico City subway system announced that several stations had to close due to the protests. Local authorities also reported handling an incident in the city's fan zone.

In the days leading up to the World Cup 2026 opening match, Mexico experienced continuous protests between the government and the activist wing of the National Coordinating Committee of Education Workers (CNTE). On the first two days of June, activists burned plastic player statues and caused severe traffic congestion, preventing President Claudia Sheinbaum from reaching the National Palace.

Many protesters and ticketless fans clashed with police outside Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico on 11/6/2026. Photo: Reuters

Many protesters and ticketless fans clashed with police outside Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico on 11/6/2026. Photo: Reuters

Many protesters and ticketless fans clashed with police outside Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico on 11/6/2026. Photo: Reuters

Many protesters and ticketless fans clashed with police outside Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico on 11/6/2026. Photo: Reuters

The dispute stems from Sheinbaum's campaign promise to repeal the 2007 ISSSTE law, which reformed the pension system by transitioning from a state-guaranteed model to a new mechanism unpopular with many citizens. The CNTE is currently in its tenth day of a nationwide strike, causing over one million students to miss school. The organization is also demanding a 100% salary increase for teachers.

Additionally, other protests arose from public dissatisfaction with what they perceive as government indifference to violence caused by drug gangs.

On 8/6, the main road leading to Azteca Stadium, one of the World Cup 2026 venues, was blocked by protesters. Participants carried banners with the slogan: "FIFA go away." Among the protesting groups were relatives of approximately 130,000 people reported missing due to violence in Mexico. The CNTE announced it would march alongside representatives of these families.

Despite the tense situation outside the stadium, most spectators were able to enter and watch the match without significant obstacles. Before kickoff, thousands of cardboard sombreros were tossed into the air by fans amidst chants of "Mexico." All 80,824 seats at Azteca Stadium were filled.

Mexico fans simultaneously throw sombreros before kickoff.

Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa marked their first win in an opening World Cup match in eight attempts. Previously, the team drew South Africa 1-1 in 2010, drew the Soviet Union 0-0 in 1970, lost to Brazil 0-2 in 1962, lost to Sweden 0-3 in 1958, lost to Brazil 0-5 in 1954, lost to Brazil 0-4 in 1950, and lost to France 1-4 in 1930.

In the second round of matches on 18/6, Mexico will face South Korea in Guadalajara, while South Africa will travel to the United States to play the Czech Republic.

Compiled by Hong Duy