{"id":1456871,"date":"2026-06-11T22:27:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T21:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1456871"},"modified":"2026-06-12T00:42:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T23:42:14","slug":"post-match-analysis-mexico-vs-south-africa-11-06-26","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-mexico-vs-south-africa-11-06-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Mexico vs South Africa stats and analysis: Co-hosts make flying start to World Cup 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2026 World Cup<\/a> got underway on Thursday night as co-hosts Mexico faced South Africa at the Azteca.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The famous stadium provided the perfect location to kick off the summer showpiece. Bafana Bafana, however, were hopelessly outnumbered in the stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-johan-vasquez-distribution-key\" data-level=\"3\">Johan Vasquez distribution key<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-mexico-overloaded-the-left-side\" data-level=\"3\">Mexico overloaded the left side<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-any-hope-for-south-africa\" data-level=\"3\">Any hope for South Africa?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>And it translated to a fine tournament-opening performance from El Tri. Just as South Africa used the crowd to claim victory on home turf 16 years ago, Mexico did similar. Raul Jimenez had the first real chance of the game, forcing Ronwen Williams into a smart stop early on, before Julian Quinones fired Mexico ahead with just nine minutes on the clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yaya Sithole was caught in possession by Erik Lira, who fed in to Quinones to score the first goal of the World Cup. As the clash began to settle, Jimenez again tested Williams, who was equal to the Wolves man\u2019s effort, while Quinones struck the woodwork moments later.<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-toplist\">\n        <div class=\"sq-toplist__items\">\n\t\t\t    <div\n            class=\"sq-toplist__item\"\n            data-entity-id=\"1381273\"\n            data-offer-id=\"1381470\"\n    >\n\t\t        <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-container\">\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"bet365\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"9.5\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"logo\" class=\"sq-toplist__logo\" style=\"background:#01644a\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/04\/29162841\/bet365.svg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Bet365 Logo\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t\t                <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer-box\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__bookmaker\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"bet365\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"9.5\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"brand_name\">bet365<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-tablet-visible\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"bet365\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"9.5\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Use Bonus Code SQUAWKA365<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-mobile-visible\">\n                    <a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"bet365\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"9.5\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Use Bonus Code SQUAWKA365<\/a>                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"bet365\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"9.5\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"cta\" class=\"sq-btn sq-btn--secondary sq-btn--full\">Claim Offer<\/a>                <div class=\"sq-rating\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__text\">Our Score<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__value\">9.5<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/bet365-review\/\" class=\"sq-review-link\">\n                    <span>Read our review<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t        <ul class=\"sq-toplist__features\">\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Bet \u00a310 get \u00a330<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Excellent Football Betting Options<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Extensive Bet-Builder<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Multi-Award Winning Bookmaker<\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n\t\t            <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-tc\"><p>New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet \u00a310 and get \u00a330 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&amp;Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>However, South Africa&#8217;s day went from bad to worse five minutes after the interval as Sithole received his marching orders for a last-man foul on Brian Gutierrez. The game itself was settled as a contest midway through the second half as Jimenez doubled the co-hosts advantage with his first ever World Cup goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa were then reduced to nine man as Themba Zwane was dismissed following a VAR review. Mexico received a red card of their own in second half stoppage time as centre-back Cesar Montes was sent off, though that shouldn\u2019t take the shine off a solid tournament opener for the co-hosts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-johan-vasquez-distribution-key\">Johan Vasquez distribution key<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A solid distributor at club level, Johan Vasquez was instrumental to the way Mexico dominated on Thursday night. The Genoa centre-back completed more passes (75) than any other player in Mexico\u2019s 2-0 win over South Africa. He mustered a 92.6% pass accuracy in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222049\/player_-pitch-3-stats-4-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1456873\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222049\/player_-pitch-3-stats-4-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222049\/player_-pitch-3-stats-4-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222049\/player_-pitch-3-stats-4-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222049\/player_-pitch-3-stats-4-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222049\/player_-pitch-3-stats-4-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222049\/player_-pitch-3-stats-4-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222049\/player_-pitch-3-stats-4-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222049\/player_-pitch-3-stats-4-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222049\/player_-pitch-3-stats-4-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222049\/player_-pitch-3-stats-4.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The co-hosts dominated proceedings against the African nation. They enjoyed 60.5% possession, and it was Vasquez\u2019s ability to find a teammate that was essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, in Mexico City in front of a fervent home crowd, Mexico were always going to dominate. That was made possible as Vasquez put in an assuring display at the heart of the defence. It enabled the central American powerhouse to control proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mexico-overloaded-the-left-side\">Mexico overloaded the left side<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>And in starting on the left side of the defence, it wasn\u2019t a surprise to see Mexico overload the left flank as they eased past South Africa. 45% of their attacks came down the left flank compared to just 31% on the right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Teboho Mokoena, who started on the right of South Africa\u2019s central midfield three, failed to complete either of his two attempted tackles. Khuliso Mudau fared better, returning an 80% success rate from five attempts.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222117\/team_-pitch-5-stats-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1456875\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222117\/team_-pitch-5-stats-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222117\/team_-pitch-5-stats-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222117\/team_-pitch-5-stats-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222117\/team_-pitch-5-stats-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222117\/team_-pitch-5-stats-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222117\/team_-pitch-5-stats-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222117\/team_-pitch-5-stats-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222117\/team_-pitch-5-stats-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222117\/team_-pitch-5-stats-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11222117\/team_-pitch-5-stats.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Even so, the plan was clearly to get winger Quinones on the ball as much as possible. Not only did the 29-year-old score and hit the post against South Africa. He also completed more take ons (5) than any other player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The wideman also created two chances. Only Gutierrez (3) made more. The aim was to maximise Quinones\u2019 willingness to find the space between the right-back and the central midfield. It was an approach that worked perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2><strong>Bet \u00a310 &amp; Get \u00a330 in Free Bets with Bet365<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p>Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>Open an account (<a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here's a link<\/a>)<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Make a qualifying deposit of between \u00a35* and \u00a310*<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1422493 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-1024x446.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"446\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-1024x446.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-300x131.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-768x335.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-400x174.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-459x200.png 459w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-138x60.png 138w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-150x65.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-40x17.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141.png 1537w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><em>Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&amp;Cs apply.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<hr \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-any-hope-for-south-africa\">Any hope for South Africa?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When the lineups were announced, South Africa\u2019s plan was clear for all to see. They aimed to sit deep, frustrate Mexico, and nick a goal on the counter attack. Their planning came undone in the opening exchanges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And having been reduced to nine men after the break, Bafana Bafana\u2019s quest to progress beyond the group stages becomes that much tricker. There will be a change in system and personnel for next week\u2019s game against Czech Republic. South Africa will be hoping they have enough time to implement a less reactive plan of attack.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\"><strong>World Cup predictions &amp; tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/world-cup-outright-odds\/\"><strong>World Cup outright odds <\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup-2026-fixtures-results\/\"><b>World Cup fixtures &amp; results<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/world-cup-2026-betting-offers\/\"><b>World Cup free bets<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-articles-list\">\n                <div class=\"sq-cards\">\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n          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Beginner\u2019s Guide to Tackles Betting                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/andrewfrancis\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Andy Francis                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 months ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/guides\/how-to-bet-on-shots-a-beginners-guide-to-shots-on-target-betting\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                          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src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/04\/09113655\/predictions_article-16x9-1-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Betting Guides<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/guides\/how-to-bet-on-cards-a-beginners-guide-to-cards-betting\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    How to Bet on Cards: A Beginner\u2019s Guide to Cards Betting                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            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    <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Betting Guides<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/guides\/fouls-betting-guide-which-bookmakers-offer-player-fouls-markets\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Fouls Betting Guide: Which Bookmakers offer player foul markets?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/anton\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Anthony Eadson                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">4 months ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2026 World Cup got underway on Thursday night as co-hosts Mexico faced South Africa at the Azteca. The famous stadium provided the perfect location to kick off the summer showpiece. Bafana Bafana, however, were hopelessly outnumbered in the stands. And it translated to a fine tournament-opening performance from El Tri. Just as South Africa&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1456872,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"mexico south africa world cup","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Mexico made the perfect start to the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa. Tactical analysis of El Tri's dominant opening-night display.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[27631],"class_list":["post-1456871","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","squawka-category-world-cup"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Mexico vs South Africa stats and analysis: Co-hosts make flying start to World Cup 2026 | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Mexico made the perfect start to the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa. Tactical analysis of El Tri&#039;s dominant opening-night display.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-mexico-vs-south-africa-11-06-26\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mexico vs South Africa stats and analysis: Co-hosts make flying start to World Cup 2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Mexico made the perfect start to the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa. 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