00:00For weeks, this World Cup seemed determined to talk about everything except football.
00:04Politics, security concerns and visa controversies dominated the build-up.
00:09Then the ball finally rolled in Mexico City, and the game reclaimed center stage.
00:19The Azteca was packed, loud and alive. Tight security surrounded the stadium,
00:24but inside it felt like a proper football festival.
00:28Mexico rewarded that support.
00:31L3 looked organized, energetic and united after months of preparation together.
00:36It was only one game, but backed by a fervent home crowd.
00:40Mexico already looks like a team few would want to face.
00:44Referee Wilton Sampaio became the next talking point,
00:47producing three red cards and enforcing the new rules with little room for debate.
00:52Opening day also hinted at longer matches ahead.
00:55With another 103 games to come, endurance may prove as important as tactics.
01:00The most emotional moment belonged to Rahul Jimenez, who finally scored his first World Cup goal.
01:06After a fractured skull, months out of football and the loss of his father,
01:11the tears that followed needed no explanation.
01:14FIFA president Gianni Infantino also needed a quieter day.
01:19The football finally gave him one.
01:21South Korea then produced the late drama, beating Czechia after Son Heung-min was withdrawn with the
01:26scores level.
01:28So day one ends with football driving the conversation.
01:32After weeks of noise, the game is back where it belongs.
01:35It's Bob Holmes and Amardeep Gill, FMT.
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