Dean Furman
Former South Africa midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

On South Africa's second red card

It's going to be an interesting World Cup if that's what we're giving red cards for but that is the game today, you can't do that.

To lose someone like Themba Zwane - he's the experienced member of the team, the one who's going to come on if a game's tight and add a little bit of quality but South Africa were just miles off it.

There's really not one player on that pitch in a yellow shirt who can hold their hands up and say they did themselves justice unfortunately.

What did you make of the red cards?

Were they all warranted? Did you think some of them were harsh? Is it a sign of things to come at this World Cup?

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Image source, Getty Images

Right, let's dig a little deeper into the three red cards.

South Africa's Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane were, and then Mexico's Cesar Montes were all sent off during the opening game.

When you consider that the World Cups in Russia and Qatar both saw just four red cards in the whole tournaments - it's pretty remarkable.

It had been 20 years since three players were sent off in one match, in the 2006 finals when 28 players saw red.

That was a remarkable tournament which saw three players dismissed in three separate games, and the all-time record of four reds in Portugal v Netherlands.

Are we about to go back to those days? Will the 2026 World Cup be remembered for red cards being handed out like confetti?

Read more here.

Hmmmm.

Not to worry you at this early stage of the morning but that's a 1-0 lead to AI in it's battle with Chris Sutton after the opening two games.

For the sake of human-kind, let's hope Sutton can turn things around over the next few weeks.

As is the case during the Premier League season, Chris Sutton is on predictions duty throughout the World Cup.

The former Blackburn, Celtic and Norwich striker is going up against AI - so let's see how he fared in the opening two games.

Mexico 2-0 South Africa:

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

South Korea 2-1 Czech Republic:

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

AI's prediction: 1-1

With three nations jointly hosting the 2026 World Cup - Mexico, USA and Canada - that means we've got three separate opening ceremonies to enjoy.

Mexico kicked off proceedings last night with Shakira, J Balvin, Burna Boyand Danny Ocean performing.

Mexican singer-songwriter Fher Olvera of the pop punk band Mana took the stage to sing the classic Oye Mi Amor.

Clinton Morrison
Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Czech Republic set up to contain South Korea.

It wasn't good enough and now they have to come again against South Africa.

The tournament is not over for them, they have to think whether they can respond in the next game.

It's a little early to be getting carried away if you're a Mexico or South Korea fan but that table looks pretty good after the opening round of the fixtures.

Can the Czech Republic or South Africa turn things around and challenge for a spot in the knockout phase?

South Africa

South Africa manager Hugo Broos speaking after his side's opening match: "The first red card, I don't think we have to say something about it but the second red card I think the Mexican player blocked my player, that happens, the referee decides something else so it is a little bit [a] pity that we have to finish this game with nine players.

"I think my team played a good game, some moments in the game Mexico [were] even desperate, they didn't know how to find the spaces so everything was good. The only thing that must be better in the next game is when we have the ball. That was not so good today so we have to work on it."

Image source, Getty Images

South Korea came from behind to defeat Czech Republic 2-1 as substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winning goal in the 80th minute of their World Cup opener.

Son Heung-min and company had dominated the game against the Czechs, who did not have a shot on target until their captain Ladislav Krejci rose to head home a long throw from Vladimir Coufal for the opening goal in the 59th minute.

But Feyenoord defensive midfielder Hwang In-beom inspired South Korea's fightback when he equalised only eight minutes after the Czech opener.

Found inside the box by the lively Lee Kang-in, Hwang deceived Kovar, who had rushed off his line, with a fake shot before scooping the ball over the Czech goalkeeper and into an unguarded goal to make it 1-1.

South Korea thought they had been undone by another Czech set-piece in the 78th minute as Tomas Soucek nodded home a free-kick from the left, but Hong Myung-bo's side were handed a reprieve as the goal was ruled out for offside.

And their supporters at Estadio Guadalajara were soon celebrating as their side took the lead, with Besiktas forward Oh tapping home a cross from Hwang to complete the turnaround.

It is the first time in four editions of the World Cup that South Korea have made a winning start to their campaign.

Read the full report here.

Mexico

Scorer of Mexico's first goal, Julian Quinones on celebrating with the bench: "Many things came into my head like celebrating and screaming with joy. I went to the bench to see my peers because they have given me so much confidence. I wanted to feel that joy with them."

On if it would have been a perfect night if Cesar Montes hadn't been sent off: "There were some mistakes that were very costly. Being sent off is something you can avoid."

On Raul Jimenez scoring his first World Cup goal: "We really congratulated him because he gives a lot to the team. Being part of a team is our pride and it's wonderful he continues to add goals to his career as a player in our national team."

Scoring at a World Cup is what dreams are made of, right?

How about scoring the first goal of the competition as a co-host nation in front of your home fans at the iconic Azteca Stadium.

Mexico's Julian Quinones had that honour last night.

Image source, Getty Images

Three players were sent off as World Cup co-hosts Mexico defeated South Africa in a dramatic opening match at a packed Azteca Stadium.

South Africa finished with nine men, while Mexico were reduced to 10 in the closing moments.

Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio produced the flurry of red cards, dismissing South Africa's Yaya Sithole for denying a goalscoring opportunity and Themba Zwane for a slap, then sending off Mexico's Cesar Montes for a late foul.

Only four red cards were shown in the entire Qatar 2022 World Cup, while three had never been shown in a tournament-opening game before.

Long before any hint of that turn of events, Mexico delighted their fans with the first goal of the finals after only nine minutes.

South Africa midfielder Sithole was tackled by Erik Lira and the ball dropped to Julian Quinones whose powerful strike went though the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Quinones almost made it 2-0 just before half-time, but his 12-yard first-time shot bounced off the foot of the right post.

The hosts' task became much easier when Sithole was sent off five minutes into the second half, bringing down Brian Gutierrez when he was going through on goal.

Striker Raul Jimenez, 35, sealed the victory with his first goal at a World Cup, heading in powerfully from Roberto Alvarado's cross for Mexico's second, a moment that appeared to bring tears from the veteran.

Read the full report here.

There are a further two games to come tonight/early hours of tomorrow morning, with the remaining two co-hosts in action.

That means another two opening ceremonies and plenty of fanfare. Canada are first-up in Toronto before the USA play their first game tomorrow morning.

Group B

• Canada v Bosnia-Herzegovina (20:00 BST) at Toronto Stadium

Group D

• USA v Paraguay (02:00) at Los Angeles Stadium

People gathered around big screens in Seoul to watch South Korea's win, too. Here are some of the best images from their celebrations.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Ahhh the vuvuzela... fond memories, right?

Let's get you caught up with some highlights.