Mexico kicks off World Cup celebrations with a win - South Korea beats Czech Republic 2-1
Mexico kicked off the World Cup festivities by beating South Africa 2-0 on Thursday in a stormy clash that featured three red cards, as the pyrotechnic smoke of the opening ceremony gave way to a cloud of red mist at the magnificent Azteca Stadium.
The first-leg victory will likely be remembered not for the thrilling football but for the plethora of exclusions. Julian Quinones' early goal set the tone for a dominant Mexican performance in the Group A match, with Raul Jimenez's header midway through the second half removing any remaining tension for the home fans.
However, South Africa were left with 10 men when Sphephelo Sithole was sent off early in the second half, with teammate Themba Zwane following him off the field before Mexico's Cesar Montes was sent off in the dying moments.
The heated match spoiled a festive atmosphere, however the home fans had the chance to celebrate an opening victory that would set them up well to emerge from a group that also includes South Korea and the Czech Republic.
In the second match of the day in Guadalajara, South Korea defeated the Czech Republic with a goal scored by Oh Hyeon-gyu, who brought the score to 2-1 in the 80th minute.
After a lackluster first half, where both teams were booed as they left the field, the Czech Republic took the lead in the 59th minute with a header from captain Ladislav Krejci following a long throw-in into the penalty area.
South Korea equalized in the 67th minute when Hwang scored after faking a shot with a clever move to beat two Czech players. He then crossed from the right for Oh Hyeon-gyu to score the decisive goal in the 80th minute in a match played in front of hundreds of empty seats at the Guadalajara stadium.
Mexico now has three points in Group A and will play South Korea next Thursday in Guadalajara. South Africa will play the Czech Republic the same day in Atlanta.
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