The Fiesta Mundial got off to a flying start for hosts Mexico. Javier Aguirre's national team—at his third World Cup as coach of the "Tri," after 2002 and 2010—overcame South Africa in the tournament's opening match, a convincing performance even more impressive than the 2-0 final scoreline suggests.

Leading the charge was Julian Quinones, fresh off a season where he finished as the Saudi league's top scorer with 33 goals: his first goal of the competition, his one hit the post, and his most dangerous encounters with the opposing defense. Raul Jimenez doubled the lead, with the visitors already down to 10 men, in a match that ended with three total red cards—a record for a debut match.

At the dizzying altitude of the Azteca—2,220 meters, even though the stadium is sinking 1.5 cm per month—the 23rd World Cup finally gets underway. On the only pitch that has hosted three World Cups, Mexican rock band Manà opens the show, with the stadium singing in unison. Shakira and Burna Boy then take to the stage with the tournament anthem, while a huge paper World Cup stands tall in midfield. After a break, it's finally the turn of the stars. And the match ends 2-0.

South Korea-Czech Republic 2-1

In Guadalajara, Mexico, the second match of the tournament between South Korea and the Czech Republic ended 2-1. All the goals came in the second half: Ladislav Krejci broke the deadlock for the Czech Republic in the 58th minute, and In-Beom Hwang equalized in the 67th. Ten minutes later, Tomas Soucek looked to put the game back in front, but VAR ruled out the goal. Hyeon-Gyu Oh instead gave the Asians the lead in the 81st minute, sealing the result.

(Unioneonline)

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