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World Cup 2026 - Mexico vs South Africa Full Match ( ⚽ 2nd Half )
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00:26The teams are making their way back out in Mexico City for the
00:29start of the second half, the home side dominant, Stevie.
00:33Yeah, they are dominant, but they're only 1-0 up, and that's the key.
00:36I think Aguirre looked frustrated at times that first half.
00:39He'll be saying to his team that we must be clinical with the chances we get in the second.
00:44They'd probably like one early, Kev, I think, to put this to bed.
00:46Yeah, I agree with that.
00:47I think it's what we expected, and I think I expect them to start in the same fashion
00:51they started the first and get a goal quite early in the second half, to be honest.
00:55I think this could be two or three easily for Mexico.
01:00Far from done.
01:16Some people cement themselves as legendary status in stadiums around the world.
01:22That man there, who had been a legendary fan here for Club America over the years, has
01:27his own statue in the stadium.
01:33He's been immortalised.
01:38So South Africa have work to do, but look like they're setting about things with plenty
01:42of pace here.
01:45Andy Hinchcliffe still watching alongside me.
01:48Andy, what are you expecting from this second half after what we saw in the first?
01:51Well, South Africa presumably are going to have to take a few more chances.
01:54Again, they have to be defensively strong.
01:55They can't afford to concede that second goal.
01:57They maybe should have done that in the first half.
01:59Mexico guilty, missing some good chances.
02:01They're risk taken there.
02:03And Mexico, maybe with a chance, still maybe half an opportunity.
02:08And from range is fired in.
02:11And over the top by Gutierrez.
02:14Well, South Africa just not learning the lessons of the first half.
02:17The goal they gave away.
02:19And it's incredibly poor.
02:20It's actually played to a Mexican player.
02:23Again, it's impressive for Mexico.
02:24The press, they're high up the pitch.
02:26They're there to pick the ball off.
02:27But playing out for the back, South Africa look really suspect.
02:31And if Fidalgo picks this ball up,
02:34the Mexican fans would have expected it to be 2-0 and pretty much game over.
02:40Unique perspective there through the referee camp.
02:47Every angle covered here at the World Cup.
02:52Quinones.
03:00Fidalgo.
03:09It remains at one.
03:10South Africa is still very much in this.
03:13Two, and things start to get problematic.
03:17It's also frustrating for the Mexican coach, Aguirre.
03:21This side really should be out of sight.
03:26Chances in the first half with Gutierrez.
03:29Quinones hit the post.
03:32And then there's another decent opportunity as well.
03:34So this game could be three or four and no way back for South Africa.
03:49Quinones.
03:51Jimenez.
03:52Quinones.
03:53Great play again.
03:55Oh, he's going to go for goal here.
03:57Well, I thought he might play the reverse and slip through his team-mate Gutierrez,
04:01who was advancing, but he went for the spectacular himself.
04:03Well, that's what you call ambitious.
04:05I think it's the fact he's scored a goal in the game that he takes this on.
04:08He's nowhere near scoring.
04:10That is slightly selfish.
04:17That's a good question.
04:18I think it's the first time he wants to go for.
04:19It's the first time he wants to go for.
04:20But it's the first time he wants to go for.
04:26But it's the first time he wants to go for.
04:41McWilliams, the South Africa skipper.
04:51Foster.
04:58That'd be challenged.
04:59The referee saw it as a foul, but plays the advantage.
05:03Flick nearly takes it through there to Reynas.
05:13Fidel go.
05:25And on the ball through here, looking for the run of Gutierrez.
05:30Oh, a risky challenge.
05:32The referee has a look, it's a free kick.
05:36And the punishment here is going to be severe.
05:38It's a red card.
05:43I think we all knew what was coming.
05:50And Sitole is heading for an early shower.
05:58Well, he's put into a horrible defensive position by some quite brilliant Mexican attacking.
06:04You know, Jimenez dropping deep, linking the play.
06:06And then the ball is played for the onrushing attacking midfielder Gutierrez.
06:09He's really clever, Gutierrez.
06:11His touch takes him across the defender.
06:13That touch there means that any contact from Sitole and it's big trouble.
06:17But the way they've got Gutierrez in behind the South African back line is outstanding.
06:23It's the plan.
06:23And it puts Sitole in a horrible position.
06:26And he just can't deal with it.
06:28Sent off for the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.
06:31There will be no reprieve.
06:36And now, a free kick in a position of promise.
06:41I did mention a lot in the first half as well about Raul Jimenez's link plays.
06:44Unselfish work he does for the team.
06:46That a great example of it.
06:47It's not him running in behind that South African defensive line.
06:49He's dropped deep.
06:50He's linked the play back into midfield.
06:52And it's Gutierrez who's made the forward run.
06:54It's definitely a plan.
06:55That's why the midfield is set up to make that happen.
06:59Mexico great Raul Jimenez.
07:01But has been criticised for his form at World Cup's previous.
07:12At the age of 35, heading towards the end of his professional career.
07:17A chance to make his mark on the big stage.
07:23Scored 16 goals.
07:25Sorry, 12 goals in his last 20 caps.
07:28Actually, a third of his international goals have come from the penalty spot.
07:33This one six yards further back.
07:41Raul Jimenez into the wall.
07:44Gutierrez.
07:45And last wide by Gallardo.
07:47Well, it might seem a strange thing to say.
07:49But actually, this free kick is too close to the target.
07:52Because you put in a giant defensive wall.
07:55And all Jimenez is looking to do is just kind of smash the ball through it and past it.
07:59It's very difficult to get the ball up and down.
08:02Over a big wall from that type of range.
08:03So that's why he goes for power.
08:05And that's why he doesn't score.
08:06The ball is looking to get the flick but beaten to it.
08:26Vidalgo another who actually wasn't born in Mexico he held from the northwest of
08:31Spain and played for them a youth level Gutierrez three points for a corner as a
08:39brilliant recovery challenge from Mudiao he had to get that right
09:03it was across the chest you know something Alvarado just come off
09:14Africa's task a lot harder now down to ten men it is their third red card at a
09:18World Cup after Alfred Fieri in 1998 and Timalang Cunay in 2010 as well some
09:27unwanted history there for Citole
10:11Mexico in no rush here Vasquez Gallardo
10:20Lira
10:22it's a fine ball if it comes off
10:25it's not too much on it yeah the idea is right just slightly over hit once it bounces
10:30very difficult to keep it in play once the air a little thinner here in Mexico City the ball does
10:35travel at a little quicker pace than it might do in other places around the world
10:41players coming to this stadium in particular we'll have to adapt to that
10:45yeah just look at how South Africa is shaping up when they don't have the ball it is still a
10:48back five
10:48when they do have it Madiba's been asked to step into the left-hand side of midfield they switch to
10:52more of a back four
10:59greatness
11:02what do you have a fan of a fader
11:07Still giving it all they've got here
11:09Despite being down to 10
11:10They are really going to have to dig in
11:15Red card coming
11:16Just four minutes into the second half
11:19Yeah, they were struggling to create chances
11:2111 against 11
11:21So it's going to be even harder now
11:23So got to be clinical
11:25If an opportunity comes along
11:30Mokwena
11:33From range
11:34Modima hits it
11:35Scored by Raniel
11:37The goalkeeper has been totally comfortable today
11:40But eventually caught
11:42I just mentioned this with Madiba
11:43You know, he's playing
11:45Majority of the game as a left wing back
11:46But now they've had the man sent off
11:48He's been asked to play a little bit further forward
11:49Step into midfield as he did there
11:59Put that down to the new match ball
12:01Which is called the Trionder
12:04Aimed to honour the three waves
12:06Or the Tri-Nations that are hosting the tournament
12:15It's going to be a sub here
12:17For South Africa
12:18They are going to withdraw
12:20Lyle Foster
12:21He
12:21In essence is sacrificed here
12:26Talent and bat is going to come on
12:28For Orlando Pirates in South Africa
12:31A central midfielder
12:36To get themselves an extra body in there
12:39That's pretty much going to be
12:40When they don't have the ball
12:40Kind of a 5-3-1
12:42But of course
12:42They're a man light
12:43So
12:44To cover a lot of ground
12:46When they do have the ball
12:47To get up and support Reynas
12:48To get up and support Reynas
12:49To get up and support Reynas
13:00Muddy out
13:22Mistake there by South Africa
13:24And a push as well
13:25Free kick
13:26And a very good crossing position
13:28For Mexico
13:29So many occasions
13:30South Africa in possession
13:31In their own defensive third
13:32Just giving the ball away cheaply
13:35And committing fouls
13:36They're just piling pressure on themselves
13:41Mexico dominating the game
13:4211 against 11
13:43Creating chances
13:44Didn't get that
13:44That key second goal
13:46Now with the extra man
13:47They've really got to
13:48Kind of step on the gas
13:49Take the game to South Africa
13:50And take it away from them
13:59And we all know
14:00Where this ball is heading roughly
14:02Just depends
14:02Whether he can get a touch
14:03On the way through
14:19Extractions for those
14:20That are grappling
14:26It's the out swinger instead
14:27Trying to knot it on there
14:30As
14:31Asper's in the middle
14:34Safeway away in the end
14:35By Mokasi
14:36That's a poor delivery
14:38The ball is actually
14:39Behind Reyes
14:39He's made his move
14:40Into that corridor
14:41Between defensive line
14:42And goalkeeper
14:42The ball needs to be out
14:43In front of him
14:44Not behind him
14:48Italy forward
14:49Roberto Baggio
14:50Sat behind FIFA president
14:51Gianni Infantino
15:06Nice moves
15:11To come back
15:12Before they can build
15:13Forward again
15:14Branghel
15:18Vasquez
15:22Gallardo
15:27One of the players
15:29That play in Mexico
15:30In their top division
15:31Liga MX
15:33All of the players
15:34From the league
15:35That were called up
15:35For the World Cup
15:36Were released
15:36In the first week of May
15:37So that group of players
15:39Have had a long time
15:40To prepare for this
15:47Quinones
15:48Well it's a great
15:49Teasing ball in
15:50Just too much on it
15:51In the end
15:52And Alvarado
15:53Runs away empty handed
15:54Yeah Madiba's a lucky boy
15:56Here because he doesn't
15:57Track the forward run
15:58Of Alvarado
15:59He's watching the ball
16:00Not tracking the forward run
16:02A better delivery there
16:03Alvarado is in
16:09Mexico have led
16:10Since the 16th minute
16:16Over a third
16:17Of this encounter
16:18To run
16:32South Africa again
16:33Looking to go direct
16:35Did have a bit of a rocky run
16:37To get here to the finals
16:38Actually
16:39They did finish
16:40Top of their qualification group
16:42But they did technically
16:43Lose two games
16:45They were beaten away
16:46To Rwanda
16:47And then
16:48Beat Lusoto
16:49At home
16:49By two goals to nil
16:51But actually
16:51Had that scoreline
16:52Scrapped
16:53And a 3-0 win
16:54Was awarded
16:55To the opponents
16:56Instead
16:57Because they fielded
16:58An ineligible player
16:59But still came top
17:00Of their group
17:18That has fallen
17:19From its perch
17:20As well
17:20They were ranked
17:2116th in the world
17:22Back in 1996
17:23But down in 60th place
17:25At the moment
17:26Make another change
17:28Here as they
17:28Withdraw
17:29Jayden Adams
17:31Introduction
17:32For
17:33Tenba Zwan
17:34Who comes on
17:34Another from
17:35Mamelodi
17:35Sundowns
17:3636 years old
17:38Nine time
17:39South African
17:41League winner
17:41Two Champions
17:42Leagues
17:42As well
17:43With Kaff
17:44He is
17:45Key player
17:46With them
17:46But this very much
17:47Is Swanson
17:50Well here's an
17:51Attacking change
17:52Bringing on to
17:53Ambers
17:53Whether they can
17:54Get him on the ball
17:54Again when you're
17:55A man light
17:56The opponents
17:57Are comfortably
17:57Stroking the ball
17:58Around
17:58It's very difficult
17:59To get
17:59These attacking
18:00Substitutes
18:01Involved
18:24Not by Gutierrez
18:40Hidalgo
18:41Tunes it
18:41To
18:42Ranghel
18:46Yeah I get
18:46The sense
18:46The Mexican
18:47Fans
18:47Not very happy
18:48With the way
18:48This game
18:48Is going
18:49They're
18:491-0
18:49Up
18:49Happy
18:50With that
18:50But they've
18:51Got the extra
18:51Man
18:51And maybe
18:51They're
18:52Not doing
18:52Enough
18:53Playing
18:53With enough
18:54Tempo
18:54Need to
18:54Speed
18:54It up
18:55Need to
18:55Get
18:55That second
18:56Goal
18:56To
18:57Secure
18:57The win
19:13There's a high
19:13Boot there
19:14By Quinonez
19:15I'm not sure
19:16There was an awful
19:17Lot of contact
19:17But the boot
19:18Was high
19:21I think maybe
19:22That's what
19:22Quinonez
19:23Is saying
19:23That
19:23Okay my boot
19:24Might have
19:24Been high
19:25But I
19:25Didn't
19:26Touch
19:26My
19:27Opponent
19:30Looks like
19:30We are
19:31Going to
19:31See
19:31Luis
19:31Chavez
19:33For
19:33Mexico
19:34Xavier
19:35Aguini
19:36Ready
19:36To
19:36Make
19:37His
19:37First
19:38Change
19:38In
19:38His
19:3830th
19:39Game
19:39In
19:39Charge
19:40Of
19:40His
19:40Third
19:40Spell
19:45Now
19:46The
19:47Fifth
19:47Ever
19:47Meeting
19:47Between
19:48These
19:48Two
19:48Nations
19:49And
19:49The
19:50Home
19:50Side
19:50Looking
19:51To
19:51Win
19:51For
19:52The
19:52First
19:52Time
19:52Since
19:52The
19:52Year
19:532000
19:53When
19:53They
19:54Played
19:54A
19:54Friendly
19:54In
19:54Dallas
19:59Interesting
20:00Ball
20:00In
20:00There
20:00Eyes
20:01Towards
20:02The
20:02Referee
20:04Claims
20:04That
20:04There
20:05Might
20:05Be
20:05A
20:05Penalty
20:05There
20:06Cam
20:07Rain
20:07Is
20:07The
20:08Chief
20:09Appealant
20:19Much
20:20More
20:20Promising
20:21Position
20:23Left
20:23Hand
20:23Side
20:23Medebra
20:24It's
20:24The
20:24Right
20:24Kind
20:24Of
20:25Ball
20:25In
20:25He
20:25Maybe
20:25Just
20:25Slightly
20:26Over
20:26Hits
20:26It
20:26I
20:26Think
20:27It
20:27Was
20:29It
20:29Was
20:30Ever
20:30Going
20:30To
20:30Be
20:30Given
20:30As
20:30A
20:30Penalty
20:31There
20:31Was
20:31Maybe
20:31A
20:31Bit
20:31Of
20:31Contact
20:32He
20:32Certainly
20:32Wasn't
20:33Knocked
20:33Off
20:33His
20:33Feet
20:34By
20:34The
20:34Defenders
21:02Williams
21:04Take it
21:05Down
21:05By
21:05Montez
21:08I
21:09Mentioned
21:09There
21:09About
21:09The
21:09Mexican
21:10Fans
21:10Not
21:10Been
21:10Happy
21:10With
21:10The
21:10Way
21:10This
21:11Game
21:11Is
21:11Going
21:11And
21:12Yeah
21:12Gear
21:12Looks
21:12Up
21:12He's
21:13Gonna
21:13Make
21:13A
21:13Double
21:13Change
21:13Here
21:14As
21:14Well
21:15He's
21:15Not
21:15Very
21:15Happy
21:16With
21:16The
21:17Tempo
21:17Of
21:17His
21:17Team
21:18And
21:18Looking
21:18To
21:18Sharpen
21:18Things
21:19Up
21:19Coming
21:20On
21:20Gilberto
21:21Mora
21:27To
21:28The
21:28Excitement
21:28Around
21:29Here
21:32Let's
21:33Take it
21:33Through
21:33There
21:33Gutierrez
21:34And
21:34South
21:35Africa
21:35Tidy
21:35Things
21:36Up
21:45Still
21:46Will
21:46Make
21:46Their
21:46Changes
21:47Now
21:47Another
21:47One
21:47Of
21:47The
21:48New
21:48Law
21:49Alterations
21:50Is
21:50That
21:50As
21:50A
21:50Player
21:50You
21:51Only
21:51Have
21:51Ten
21:51Seconds
21:52To
21:52Leave
21:52The
21:52Field
21:52If
21:53You
21:53Don't
21:53Your
21:54Replacement
21:54Won't
21:55Be
21:55Able
21:55To
21:55Come
21:55On
21:55For
21:56A
21:57Minimum
21:57Of
21:57A
21:57Minute
21:58That's
21:59Why
21:59The
21:59Players
22:00Are
22:00Getting
22:00Off
22:00At
22:00Speed
22:02Gutierrez
22:02And
22:02Fidalgo
22:03Are
22:03The
22:03Two
22:04Withdrawn
22:06Listen
22:06To
22:07The
22:07Roar
22:07Here
22:07For
22:07Gilberto
22:08Mora
22:08Just
22:0917
22:10Years
22:10Old
22:12He
22:13Breaks
22:13A
22:1396
22:14Year
22:14Old
22:14Record
22:15To
22:15Become
22:15Mexico's
22:15Youngest
22:16World Cup
22:16Player
22:17It
22:17Was
22:17Previously
22:18Manuel Rosat
22:19Who
22:20Was
22:20Just
22:2018
22:21Years
22:21And
22:2187
22:22Days
22:22Old
22:22Back
22:23In
22:231930
22:24Is
22:25The
22:25Sixth
22:25Youngest
22:26In
22:26World Cup
22:26History
22:27Five
22:28Days
22:28Older
22:29Than
22:29Pele
22:29In
22:301958
22:31Norman
22:31Whiteside
22:32Of
22:32Northern
22:33Ireland
22:33Was
22:3317
22:34Years
22:34And
22:3540
22:35Days
22:35When
22:36He
22:36Played
22:36Against
22:36Spain
22:37In
22:371982
22:37He
22:38Is
22:39The
22:39Record
22:39Holder
22:45Yeah
22:46This
22:46Game
22:46Might
22:46Just
22:46Play
22:47Into
22:47Mora's
22:47Hands
22:47Because
22:48You'd
22:48Expect
22:48Maybe
22:49South
22:49Africa
22:49To
22:49Tire
22:50Or
22:50To
22:50Take
22:50A
22:51Few
22:51Risks
22:51The
22:52Game
22:52Should
22:52Open
22:52Up
22:52There
22:53Should
22:53Be
22:53Spaces
22:53For
22:53Those
22:54Attacking
22:54Midfielders
22:54To
22:54Profit
22:55And
22:55Mora
22:56Certainly
22:56One
22:56Of
22:56Those
22:59You
22:59Can
23:00Hear
23:00The
23:00Mexico
23:00Fans
23:01Chanting
23:01Mora
23:02Mora
23:02They
23:03Absolutely
23:04Love
23:04This
23:04Guy
23:04Who
23:05Has
23:05Just
23:05Signed
23:05A
23:05New Deal
23:06With
23:06His
23:06Club
23:08Now
23:08Mexico
23:09Flood
23:09Forward
23:10With
23:10Five
23:10That's
23:11A
23:11Great
23:11For
23:11Jimenez
23:20That
23:21Should
23:21Be
23:21The
23:21Point
23:22In
23:22The
23:22Bag
23:23And
23:24Already
23:25A
23:25Big
23:26First
23:26Step
23:26To
23:27Qualification
23:27For
23:28Mexico
23:35He
23:36Goes
23:36Level
23:37Second
23:37With
23:37Jared
23:38Borgetti
23:39In
23:39Terms
23:40Of
23:40The
23:40All
23:40Time
23:41Goal
23:41Scoring
23:42List
23:42For
23:42Mexico
23:43Only
23:44Javier
23:44Hernandez
23:45Has
23:45Scored
23:45More
23:46Than
23:46Him
23:46In
23:47The
23:47History
23:47Of
23:47This
23:48Great
23:48Nation
23:50And
23:50That
23:50Is
23:51Classic
23:51Raul
23:52Jimenez
23:52Who
23:53Makes
23:53It
23:532
23:53Yeah
23:53That
23:54Should
23:54Be
23:54Game
23:54Over
23:54You
23:55Know
23:55When
23:55The
23:55Ball
23:55Is
23:55Out
23:55Wide
23:56A
23:56Cross
23:56Is
23:56Going
23:56Into
23:56The
23:57Box
23:57As
23:57An
23:57Experienced
23:58Center
23:58Forward
23:58What
23:59Do
23:59You
23:59Do
23:59You
23:59Get
24:00Away
24:00From
24:00Defenders
24:01You
24:01Get
24:01Into
24:01Attacking
24:02Space
24:02To
24:03Be
24:03Picked
24:03Out
24:03It's
24:04Exactly
24:04What
24:04Jimenez
24:05Does
24:05And
24:05Then
24:06He
24:07Has
24:07A
24:07Little
24:07Look
24:07At
24:08The
24:08Goalkeeper
24:08Do
24:08Go
24:08Back
24:09Across
24:09You
24:09Try
24:09And
24:10Beat
24:10Him
24:10At
24:10His
24:10Near
24:10Post
24:10He
24:11Just
24:11Picks
24:11The
24:11Right
24:12Option
24:12You
24:13Know
24:13But
24:13It's
24:13Moving
24:13Into
24:14The
24:14Box
24:14He
24:14Doesn't
24:14Run
24:15Off
24:15Side
24:15That's
24:15An
24:15Experienced
24:28A
24:28Whole
24:28Celebration
24:29With
24:29The
24:30Bench
24:31It's
24:32Been
24:32Some
24:32Week
24:32For
24:33The
24:33Mexico
24:33Number
24:33Nine
24:38First
24:38Ever
24:39World
24:39Cup
24:39Goal
24:40For
24:40Raul
24:41Jimenez
24:41And
24:42That
24:42Takes
24:43Us
24:43Into
24:43The
24:43Hydration
24:44Break
24:44And
24:46Maybe
24:46There
24:46A
24:47Point
24:47At
24:48South
24:48Africa
24:51The
24:51Three
24:52Minute
24:52Hydration
24:52Break
24:53Starting
24:53Now
24:53To
24:54Stadio
24:54Azteca
24:55With
24:55Mexico
24:55In
24:55Control
24:56You
24:56Won't
24:56Miss
24:56Anything
24:57We'll
24:57Get
24:57You
24:57Right
24:58Back
24:58To
24:58The
24:58Game
25:28I
25:28Suppose
25:29For
25:29Aguirre
25:29Very
25:30Much
25:30Looks
25:30Now
25:31Like
25:31The
25:31Game
25:31Is
25:31Won
25:32And
25:33You
25:33Go
25:33For
25:33That
25:33Really
25:34Emphatic
25:34Win
25:34Three
25:35Or
25:35Four
25:36And
25:36That
25:36Would
25:36Be
25:36A
25:36Dream
25:37Start
25:37To
25:37The
25:37Group
25:38For
25:38For
25:39And
25:40To
25:41To
25:41To
25:41To
25:41To
25:45Monterrey
25:45To
25:45Take
25:46On
25:46Korea
25:46Republic
25:47In
25:47Their
25:47Final
25:47Game
25:48Head
25:48Coach
25:49Hugo
25:49Bruce
25:50Actually
25:50Got
25:50A
25:50Bit
25:50Graphic
25:50At
25:51His
25:51Press
25:51Conference
25:51Yesterday
25:52Says
25:52If
25:52You
25:52Don't
25:53Win
25:53Your
25:53First
25:53Game
25:53You
25:54Then
25:54Got
25:54A
25:54Knife
25:54To
25:55Your
25:55Neck
25:55For
25:55The
25:55Remainder
25:55Because
25:56Of
25:56The
25:56Pressure
25:56You
25:56Under
25:56To
25:57Get
25:57That
25:57Three
25:57Points
25:58To
25:58Give
25:58You
25:58A
25:58Base
25:58To
25:59Work
25:59On
26:01Quiñones
26:02Jimenez
26:05Has
26:06One
26:06Fances
26:07A
26:07Second
26:07But
26:08The
26:08Whistle
26:09Goes
26:09Because
26:10Of
26:10The
26:10Offside
26:17Looks
26:18A
26:18Tight
26:18Is
26:18Call
26:19But
26:19The
26:19Attacking
26:20Inter
26:21Change
26:21Here
26:22With
26:22Keown
26:22Is
26:22Becoming
26:22In
26:23Essence
26:23The
26:23Central
26:23Striker
26:24Jimenez
26:25Drifting
26:25Out
26:25Into
26:26Keown
26:26Is
26:26Position
26:27So
26:27Again
26:27It's
26:28Causing
26:28Defenses
26:28So
26:28Many
26:29Problems
26:29When
26:29Dangerous
26:30Attackers
26:30Chop
26:31And
26:31Change
26:34His
26:34First
26:35Rodeo
26:35Of course
26:36His
26:36Third
26:36Spell
26:36As
26:36Mexico
26:37Coach
26:37He
26:37Was
26:37Also
26:37The
26:38Assistant
26:38To
26:38Miguel
26:39Mejia
26:40Baron
26:41At
26:41USA
26:4194
26:43Against
26:44Bulgaria
26:45In
26:45Round
26:45Two
26:45On
26:46Penalties
26:49Mexico
26:49Again
26:50Jimenez
26:50Times
26:51His
26:51Run
26:51Well
26:52Jimenez
26:52Goes
26:53Down
26:53No
26:53Penalty
26:56Howls
26:57Of
26:57Derision
26:57From
26:58The
26:58Stands
26:58But
26:58The
26:58Referee
26:59Certain
26:59In
27:00His
27:00Court
27:01It's
27:01A
27:01Brilliant
27:02Run
27:02Off
27:02The
27:02Ball
27:02It's
27:02An
27:03Excellent
27:03First
27:03Touch
27:04It
27:05Looked
27:05To
27:05Me
27:05As
27:05If
27:06They
27:06Can
27:06Defender
27:06Has
27:06Taken
27:07Him
27:07Out
27:07Steps
27:07Across
27:07His
27:08Path
27:08And
27:08Played
27:09Him
27:09Not
27:09The
27:09Ball
27:10It's
27:10Risky
27:10Challenge
27:12Looks
27:13Like
27:13He's
27:13Got
27:13Away
27:13With
27:14It
27:15What
27:15VAR
27:17Nicholas
27:17Gaio
27:18Will
27:18Be
27:18Considering
27:18Here
27:19Is
27:19Whether
27:19There
27:20Is
27:20Clear
27:21Evidence
27:21To
27:21Discredit
27:22What
27:22The
27:22Referee
27:23Has
27:23Described
27:23The
27:23Incident
27:24As
27:24And
27:25In
27:25This
27:25Case
27:25There
27:25Is
27:26Not
27:26To
27:27Me
27:27Is
27:27The
27:27Sense
27:27That
27:27Sabisi
27:28There
27:28Is
27:28Playing
27:28Jimenez
27:29And
27:29Not
27:29The
27:30Ball
27:30But
27:30He's
27:30Got
27:30Away
27:30With
27:31It
27:41Can
27:42Yones
27:42Who's
27:42Been
27:42Quieter
27:43Since
27:43Half
27:44Time
27:45Took
27:46One
27:46In
27:46The
27:46Face
27:47There
27:48Yellow
27:49Card
27:49Has
27:50Been
27:50Issued
27:51By
27:51The
27:52Referee
27:53Booking
27:54Here
27:55For
27:55Cesar
27:56Cibisi
27:57Two
27:58Examples
27:58Of
27:58Physical
27:59Play
27:59From
27:59Cibisi
28:00Taking
28:00Out
28:01Jimenez
28:01And
28:02Then
28:02Going
28:02Clattering
28:02Into
28:03In
28:04Yones
28:06Just
28:07Pinches
28:07The
28:07Ball
28:07Away
28:08From
28:08Once
28:08That
28:08Right
28:08Arm
28:08Comes
28:09Up
28:09You're
28:09In
28:09Trouble
28:22Urging
28:22Mexico
28:23To
28:23Get
28:23On
28:23With
28:23Things
28:26To
28:27To
28:27Make
28:27At
28:29Change
28:29It
28:29Might
28:30Be
28:30Possibly
28:31Two
28:35Edson
28:36Alvarez
28:36Come
28:36On
28:36For
28:37Landmark
28:37100th
28:38Cap
28:38At
28:38The
28:38Next
28:38Break
28:39In
28:39Play
28:40And
28:41Gonzales
28:42Will
28:42Also
28:42Be
28:42Introduced
28:43By
28:43Javier
28:44Aguirre
29:14That's one of the host nations.
29:16Well, they're clearly a very dangerous attacking team,
29:17but I think at times they do kind of step off the gas
29:20and allow opponents back into games.
29:22Yones couldn't find a way through.
29:25A free kick there.
29:26And a misstep by Mokwena.
29:28Another hefty challenge going in by Mokazi.
29:32They made a couple of those in the first half,
29:34and they're strong challenges, but they're well-timed.
29:37He's not taking his opponent out.
29:39He's playing the ball.
29:56So, changes for both teams here.
30:00Going to take off Eric Lira.
30:04Alvarez, who, well, his career has played at the base of midfield
30:07and at the back as well, will presumably come on and sit in this one.
30:12And Raúl Jiménez also departing the scene.
30:18Listen to the evasion for him.
30:21Yeah, I think that second goal,
30:22and then Jiménez scored it as well.
30:23It just gives Aguirre the opportunity to take off two of his key players.
30:27Lira, outstanding performance in central midfield.
30:36Changes as well for South Africa.
30:39Modiva and Reynas both coming off.
30:44It will be the introduction here of Oswin Apollis,
30:50who has been a great goal scorer in recent time to South Africa,
30:54five in his last nine games.
30:58Evidence, the hopper also on.
31:01He's just won the title in his fourth season with Orlando Pirates.
31:11It's more attacking players on, understandably, for South Africa.
31:14They'll change to a back four and they'll just
31:17try and throw everything at Mexico to try and get a goal back in the game,
31:20but it looks unlikely.
31:36They've only had one attempt on goal since half-time.
31:39That had an XG of 0.02.
31:43Just to illustrate it a bit more,
31:46it's the probability out of 100 as to whether you're going to score or not.
31:53In that place, not much chance.
32:01It's Vasquez.
32:20It is Moura.
32:23Diminutive, but such a talented little player
32:26who can shimmy his way into all kinds of areas across the field
32:30and do damage from a slightly deeper front position.
32:34He is tactically smart in the words of his coach.
32:42And a Mexico change.
32:45And a fifth and final.
32:47Quillones, who got the scoring started, comes off.
32:50And Alexis Vega of Toluca comes on for his 53rd cap.
32:57Yeah, Keone has had a really influential game,
32:59scored the opening goal of the competition,
33:01got the party started, hit the post as well.
33:04His attacking position, he's a very intelligent player.
33:12Chavez just keeps it in play.
33:18McQuainer.
33:33Fans around us here not happy at the sound of that whistle.
33:36Not that we can hear it up here.
33:38Presume he blew it.
33:39He must have to go off body language.
33:40Once again, in possession.
33:42South Africa through McQuainer.
33:43There's no foul there.
33:44He is so lucky to get away with that.
33:46He just miscontrols it.
34:06Huge attendance here at Mexico City Stadium
34:09for the opening game of the World Cup.
34:1280,824 here to see it.
34:22It's been described as a full house.
34:24That is max capacity.
34:28It's not quite 83,000 with seats taken out
34:31for operational reasons.
34:33Mexico with a player down.
34:36South Africa don't care.
34:39Attempt on goal for them.
34:42Not one that does much damage.
34:44There was a collision on the edge of the box.
34:46Referee clearly felt it was accidental.
34:49That opened the space up for Apollos to get the strike in.
34:57It looked at me as if this one actually runs into Alvarado there.
35:01It looked like a foul.
35:25This stadium is like something I have never seen.
35:30The steepness of it, the intensity that the fans can create is absolutely incredible.
35:39Currently known as the Azteca, a tribute to the Aztec heritage of Mexico City.
35:46It has had numerous sponsored names over the years.
35:50That's the only Dallas stadium of 94,000 has the bigger capacity at the finals overall.
35:56The actual record crowd with 119,000 when Mexico were beaten 2-0 by Brazil here back in 1968.
36:09Now then, Referee coming over here to check a possible red card.
36:18What's your take on it, Andy?
36:19There's that collision on the edge of the box.
36:20It did look suspect to me.
36:22I think it's not necessarily the first coming together.
36:24I think there's a secondary one as well, and that's what VAR are rightly looking at.
36:31A hand on the head of Alvarado, who backed in, but then was almost batted out of the way.
36:38Yeah, I think that is the problem, that secondary movement from...
36:41I think it's Zwan who actually catches him.
36:43We should see what the referee makes of this.
36:47Well, South Africa already down to 10.
36:51It really would make things tricky for them, not only in this game,
36:53but the tournament overall, if they were to lose another player to suspension.
37:01Referee seemingly made up his mind.
37:08Will announce his decision to the crowd.
37:16After a review, attacker number 11 commissary for a break is...
37:24...directed in the face of the defender.
37:31Decision, directly quick, red card.
37:35South Africa are down to 9.
37:38This is turning into a miserable day for Bafana Bafana.
37:43Well, Zwan looks completely non-plus, but once you raise an arm or a hand into an opponent's face,
37:49you're in trouble.
37:54And there it is, confirmation.
37:58Roughly red card for Ember Zwan.
38:02And a sad moment for him.
38:04The 36-year-old, who's had such a troubled last 18 months through injury,
38:11has managed to come back, get himself fit.
38:13But that might just be his tournament over already.
38:16Yeah, I think he's frustrated with Alvarado.
38:18Maybe it just blocks him off, and then he just reacts by, you know,
38:20flicking out an arm or hand, and that's why he's red carded.
38:25The sprinkling of South Africa fans inside the stadium.
38:29Seeing their day go from bad to worse.
38:36Zitole is about to see a familiar face join him in the dressing room.
38:45Now, this really is an easy streak for Mexico, isn't it?
38:56Slight nudge, but no free kick this time.
39:01I think it's for Mexico to really go for it.
39:04You know, in the final stages of the game, can they get three or four?
39:07But looking at the two red cards, I think Zitole couldn't do much.
39:10You know, about the cleverness of Gutierrez going across him and catching him.
39:14I think it was one of his so disappointed.
39:16His reaction may be to getting kind of blocked off by Alvarado,
39:19you know, and you just can't raise your hands like that.
39:28Frank Hill is there.
39:33Yes.
39:38It's the first World Cup game with multiple red cards
39:42since Portugal beat the Netherlands in 2006 in the round of 16.
39:47Both teams had two players sent off that day.
39:50An iconic match in World Cup history.
39:53All the wrong reasons, really.
40:03From Mexico's point of view,
40:04do you go and try and fill your boots in the remaining minutes
40:07just in case that goals scored come into it later on in the group?
40:12You never know.
40:13Absolutely.
40:13When you have the two extra men,
40:14surely you can take a risk or two here
40:16because you just can't see South Africa laying a glove on them.
40:19So, yes, embodies up the pitch and try and get a third and fourth.
40:23Vega back here and Chavez lifted to Vasquez.
40:37Alvarez.
40:39Centurion.
40:43Mora.
40:44Chavez.
41:00Mora had it.
41:04Mora had his name up in lights that he scored there.
41:10Challenge is flying in.
41:15That's ball on, but push in the end there.
41:21Frustrated one of that from Bakazi.
41:24I do feel for South Africa, they have been outplayed.
41:2711 against 11.
41:28They were the dominant side, Mexico.
41:31But here's the referee's view of that red card.
41:33It is difficult to see when you're on the pitch close to it
41:36because you're looking really through the players.
41:37You can't really clearly see the contact.
41:39That's why VAR said, have another look at it.
41:41I think the right decision was reached.
41:42Yeah, it was almost on the blind side of the referee as well.
41:50Watching Pierluigi Colino will be happy with the process taken there.
42:06Well, it's a sad ending for Ugo Bruce.
42:10The 73-year-old overtakes a predecessor, Otto Rehagel,
42:17who is the oldest ever coach of the World Cup.
42:25Germany's Rehagel was 71 years and 317 days old in 2010,
42:29but he'll have the record only for seven hours
42:31because Czechia's Miroslav Kubek, also at the same age,
42:37is seven months older, and they played ace against Korea,
42:39but Curaçao's Dick Advokat, a veteran coach at 78,
42:42beats them both in three days' time.
43:05Final minutes of play.
43:18My only surprise so far is that we haven't seen a full Mexican wave
43:21go around the stadium.
43:23We see imitations of it all around the world,
43:25but that was one thing on my bucket list today.
43:27I thought you were going to say,
43:28I'm surprised we've not seen a third and fourth Mexican goal
43:30because I think that's the way for Javier Guerre.
43:34That's the big miss, really, or the missed opportunity here
43:37because, you know, you play with an extra man
43:39or two extra men for a fair chunk of time.
43:42I think winning 2-0, it's a game they're probably always going to win,
43:44but they probably should have won it by a bigger margin
43:48with the chances they've had.
43:49Alvarez.
44:01Polis did well.
44:06Alvarez on it again.
44:08Alvarez caught late.
44:21They're very fortunate.
44:22Mexico, they've got two excellent holding central midfielders in.
44:26Experience Edson Alvarez and Eric Lima,
44:29who started the game, he was outstanding as well.
44:31Those players in that position are vitally important
44:34to the way that the game functions.
44:36Seven minutes of additional time on the way.
44:41Quite a unique stadium as well,
44:43given how relatively small the lower tier is here.
44:47Mexico City Stadium before the second tier really takes over
44:50and goes up five or six levels.
44:57Certainly takes us Europeans a few minutes to catch our breath
45:01by the time we get to the top.
45:04I notice you looked at me there.
45:11Alvarez slides it down the side for González.
45:22Montes.
45:24Vega.
45:31And a free kick.
45:33Referee has been quite stern in some of those situations.
45:37A run here for Mudial.
45:40Oh, who was caught there, was he?
45:41It will be a yellow card for Montes.
45:45Not running directly towards goal.
45:49Mexico pointing to the other end of the field.
45:52Yeah, they feel it there.
45:53Team-mate was fouled early.
45:54The referee didn't see it that way.
45:56The counter-attack was sprung.
45:58Oh, it's a red card.
46:01Red card, Cesar Montes.
46:04And this really is turning into a game to remember.
46:10Well, Montes comes across and he clearly takes out his man.
46:14Again, the referee has clearly felt that by making this challenge,
46:18again, it's denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
46:20And he has a point as well.
46:23He just takes Mudial out completely.
46:24He's not playing the ball.
46:25He's playing the man.
46:26And Mudial is in the penalty area.
46:27There is a goal-scoring opportunity.
46:29It's a cut piece of refereeing.
46:32You are talking about fractions with those kind of moments.
46:35Had he taken the touch,
46:36he would have surely driven it across goal, like you say.
46:40But if the defender came across,
46:41he was forced to touch it into a wider area.
46:45And it is now 9 versus 10.
46:50Just a pity we've only got a few minutes left.
46:54I think the problem for Montes,
46:55because his team were on the front foot,
46:57they'd all stepped up the pitch.
46:58When they lost the ball and the counter-attack was on,
46:59he had no defensive help.
47:01So he was the last man.
47:03Montes being told to lead the field at the nearest point here.
47:06Not that he's willing to listen to the referee.
47:13Well, referee Milton Sampaio only showed six red cards
47:17across his whole domestic season.
47:22But has had reason here today.
47:24Yeah, of course, when you have red cards,
47:26you automatically think, well,
47:26has the referee kind of been too harsh?
47:29I don't feel he has.
47:31With the three of them,
47:32I can see why the players have been sent off.
47:36The captain is the latest to head back down the tunnel.
47:44Certainly will be interesting to hear from both coaches
47:46in the respective press conferences after this.
47:49First is free kick here for South Africa.
47:58Bokasi is in attendance.
48:02Tenderhorn-Mokwena looks the most likely.
48:06Oh, it's touched on Bokasi,
48:07but they got that all wrong.
48:08And they're quite lucky that Mexico
48:10weren't able to form a counter.
48:12Why on earth are you overcomplicating it?
48:14At this stage of the game,
48:15just get the ball into the box.
48:21I suppose you compare the two red cards
48:23in terms of Satole and Montez,
48:26and they are very similar.
48:27They're denying goal-scoring opportunities.
48:41Well, plenty of space
48:42on this field now.
48:45It might look huge,
48:47but it's FIFA regulation size.
49:06It's been a game, really,
49:07of nearly moments for South Africa.
49:10I've had only three attempts
49:12compared to the 16 of Mexico
49:14throughout the 90 minutes and beyond.
49:18As opening games go,
49:19we've got plenty to talk about.
49:24Now, I do love a stat.
49:26I can tell you,
49:27in the whole of the 2022 FIFA World Cup,
49:31there were just four red cards,
49:33three here in the opening game.
49:37Over 100 games still to go.
49:39But again, you look at the red cards here,
49:41and they're not kind of light red cards,
49:44and lots of people will be saying,
49:45and discussing them,
49:46and saying it's really harsh on the players.
49:47I think all of them,
49:48to me, look fairly obvious.
49:49So you can't criticize the officials,
49:51the referee.
49:52He's made the right calls.
49:53It's down to the players
49:54and what they do.
50:01Buddy out.
50:25I think it's fair to say,
50:31are going to have the three points
50:32on the opening afternoon of action.
50:35But it hasn't come without cost.
50:43Of course,
50:44had made all their changes as well,
50:46so weren't able to definitively plug the gap.
50:49Here's Vega.
51:05What they have done here in Mexico
51:06is move Reyes into a central defensive position.
51:10Played there actually in the second half of the season
51:12for Club America,
51:13so it's certainly an area that's not foreign to him,
51:16and they have moved Alvarado into a full-back position.
51:19Yeah, having players with that versatility,
51:22wherever they play on the pitch,
51:23just to step in field or step up the pitch
51:25and comfortably play in another position,
51:27it's so valuable to coaches.
51:34Full-time.
51:37Two-nil, it might have finished,
51:38but that's only half the story.
51:40It is victory for the co-hosts
51:42on the opening day of the World Cup.
51:44For the game that contained more red cards than goals,
51:49Mexico often running three points
51:51that will take them a long way towards the knockout stage.
51:54Quiñones in the first half,
51:57Raúl Jiménez midway through the second.
51:59He finishes here at Mexico City Stadium.
52:01Mexico 2, South African 0.
52:04Here we go.
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