Aguirre proud as Mexico overcome nerves to win World Cup opener

Julian Quinones fired the co-hosts ahead with a composed finish before Raul Jimenez sealed the win with a ⁠second-half header in front of an expectant home crowd.

Mexico were the better side for long spells and played most of the second half with a numerical advantage after South Africa midfielder Sphephelo Sithole was sent off five minutes after the restart for a foul on Brian Gutierrez.

The ‌visitors ⁠were reduced to nine men in the 84th minute when Themba Zwane was dismissed for violent conduct, but Aguirre said Mexico had made the game more complicated than necessary.

"We didn't play well in the first half. It could have ended 3-0 easily," he said. "We were superior in ⁠the first part, but the score did not reflect that. We complicated things for ourselves.

"After the second goal we got overconfident, then came the sending-off. We need to improve, but it was ⁠a good game."

Quinones opened the scoring after Erik Lira won possession following Sithole's defensive error and Jimenez headed in Mexico's second in the 67th minute from Roberto ⁠Alvarado's incisive cross.

Mexico, who ended a seven-match wait for an opening-game victory at the World Cup, next face South Korea in Guadalajara, while South Africa take on the Czech Republic.