Let's check the FotMob ratings from Mexico-South Africa (out of 10):

Julián Quiñones, who scored the opener for Mexico, received a match-leading 8.8 rating.

And that's an unsightly 3.6 for Sphephelo Sithole, who drew South Africa's first red card.

Gilberto Mora, the 17-year-old Mexico midfielder, made his World Cup debut after coming on as a second-half substitute.

Mora is the youngest player in the 2026 tournament.

Mexico secure all three points from their World Cup opener on home soil in Group A.

South Africa now have quite a bit of work to do if they hope to reach the knockouts.

It's Mexico's turn to see a red card.

Cesar Montes is sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity down the right flank.

It's the third red card of the afternoon: Now Mexico are playing with 10 and South Africa with nine.

South Africa is now down to nine players!

It's Themba Zwane who sees a red card for a blow to the face of Mexico's Alvarado.

Mexico's Raul Jimenez goes down in the box and looks for the penalty, but the referee waves it off.

Looks from here like shoulder-to-shoulder contact from South Africa's Sibisi.

But Sibisi quickly earns a yellow card for a separate foul.

Raul Jimenez scores on a far-post header to bring relief to the home crowd.

There had been audible whistles from the sold-out crowd at the Azteca Stadium, sorry Mexico City Stadium, prior to the second goal.

South Africa forward Lyle Foster is substituted off.

We've barely heard his name today.

He's replaced by a midfielder as South Africa adopts a more defensive posture down to 10 men.

With a free kick on the edge of the box from the red-card foul, Raul Jimenez fires into the South Africa wall.

But South Africa will play with 10 men the rest of the way.

Can Mexico extend their advantage?

South Africa's Sithole (not a typo!) is shown a red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity by Mexico's Gutierrez.

VAR will have a look.

Let's check in with the old Opta supercomputer:

Mexico has an 86.2% chance of victory at halftime to South Africa's 2.4%, while a draw sits at 11.4%.

Remember: Goal differential is the first tiebreaker between teams that finished tied on points in the World Cup group stage.

With Mexico firmly in control and South Africa posing little threat so far, how content are they with this narrow scoreline?

"I'll be curious how aggressive they are in trying to get that second goal," Donovan said. "You'll see that throughout the first round."