00:23Well, at the sound of that whistle, history in the opening match today of the World Cup.
00:28However, it's not golds but red cards.
00:31Three players were sent off as World Cup co-host Mexico defeated South Africa in a dramatic opening match at
00:38a packed Azteca Stadium.
00:40South Africa finished with nine men while Mexico were reduced to ten in the closing moments.
00:46After the rich display to kick off the World Cup, Mexico ignited their fans with the first goal of the
00:52finals after only nine minutes.
00:55South Africa midfielder Sithole was tackled by Eric Lira and the ball dropped for Julian Quinones whose powerful strike went
01:04through the legs of goalkeeper Runwen Williams.
01:07The whole task became much easier when Sithole was sent off five minutes into the second half, bringing down Brian
01:15Gutierrez when he was going through on goal.
01:22I think we all knew what was coming.
01:24Striker Raul Jimenez sealed the victory with his first goal at the World Cup, heading in powerfully from Roberto Alvarado's
01:33cross for Mexico's second, a moment that brought tears to the veteran.
01:43South Africa were playing in the finals for the first time since they hosted the 2010 competition, but they ended
01:50with nine men as substitute Zwayne was ordered off for slapping the face of Alvarado.
01:59Mexico had a red card of their own as well later on, but the hosts maintained their two-goal advantage.
02:06Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio produced the flurry of red cards.
02:11Only four red cards were shown in the entire Qatar 2022 World Cup, while three had never been shown in
02:17a tournament opening game before.
02:19This is the first World Cup game to see three straight red cards since South Africa took on Denmark in
02:261998.
02:28Sergio Dufour, TV6.
02:32Well, surely that referee was a no-nonsense mood.
02:35Now that we have a game out of the way, here's what's happening later this evening as well as tomorrow.
02:41The action got underway with Mexico opening South Africa earlier on Thursday.
02:45Looking at Day 1's other match, South Korea will be taking on Czechia in Group A.
02:50That game kicks off at 10pm Trinidad and Tobago time.
02:54Looking at the head-to-head clashes, the two met four times in friendly internationals,
02:58with a win each for the Asians and Europeans, with the other two being drawn.
03:03Then on Friday in Group B, joint hosts Canada face Bosnia and Herzegovina from 3pm TT time.
03:10The two never met before, with the upcoming game being a first.
03:13And in Friday's final game, the other joint hosts USA face Paraguay from 9pm TT time in Group D.
03:20The two have met on nine occasions, with the Americans having the edge with five wins, two losses and two
03:27draws.
03:29Now the sights and sounds in Mexico was something to behold.
03:33It's their third time hosting a FIFA World Cup, and they were sure to remind the world about the sacrifices
03:40that were made to make Mexico what it is today.
03:51Sometimes it's better to tell stories through pictures.
03:54It always seems like history and culture returns to the forefront at these international events.
03:59They often use it to remind the world of the road taken to this point.
04:04From the decimation of tribes, to the celebration of folklore and fashion combined,
04:10it makes for a beautiful display of color on screen.
04:14From the broad sombrero, to the depictions of entertainment,
04:18through television screens from Zorro, to Rey Mysterio,
04:22Mexico was clearly proud to host the FIFA World Cup, and it was spectacular.
04:29Who wouldn't want to see it?
04:31They jam-packed the gates before the actual competition.
04:35They came to support their team in their opening match,
04:39with cheers so loud it would wake the souls of the Aztecs in the stadium.
04:44In the end, it was worth it, as Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0.
04:49Meantime, Haiti has agreed to change their World Cup kit before the competition.
04:55The design contained an image of several freedom fighters raising the country's flag
05:00based on the final battle of the Haitian Revolution.
05:03The new kit does not have the images.
05:06Under IFAB rules, adjudicated by FIFA during their own competitions,
05:11symbols or images which could be deemed political are liable to being banned.
05:28fteamor is unprotected by FIFA 1-1.
05:30Five不知道 in the final battle of theелей.
05:31There are three indigences in the military-一点,
Comments