Day 1 Recap: Mexico Cruise, South Korea Stage a Comeback

The first 48-team World Cup is finally under way. On June 11, hosts Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in the opening match at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, before South Korea came from a goal down to beat Czechia 2-1 in Guadalajara. Both games were in Group A — and the group already has a shape.

The opener belonged to Julián Quiñones. With less than nine minutes gone he drilled a low shot through goalkeeper Ronwen Williams' legs for the tournament's first goal — the fastest in a World Cup opening match since Philipp Lahm's strike for Germany in 2006. In the second half, Raúl Jiménez headed in Roberto Alvarado's cross at the back post for his first ever World Cup goal.

It was an ugly game, though. Three red cards came after the break — South Africa's Sphephelo Sithole for denying a clear goalscoring chance, Themba Zwane for striking Alvarado after a VAR review, and Mexico's César Montes with a contentious straight red. No World Cup opener had ever seen three dismissals.

The second match, at Guadalajara's Estadio Akron, turned into a night Korean fans will remember. Ladislav Krejčí's 59th-minute header put Czechia ahead, but Hwang In-beom levelled in the 67th and then slid the pass for Oh Hyeon-gyu's 80th-minute winner. A goal and an assist — Hwang was the game's outstanding player.

The numbers backed Korea's win: 15 shots to eight, and control of possession throughout. Son Heung-min finished without a goal — off target in the first half, denied from close range in the second — but his movement stretched the Czech defence all night.

Group A now reads: Mexico first on goal difference (+2), South Korea second (+1). Next up, Korea face the hosts on June 18 in Guadalajara with first place on the line — a genuine early crossroads for the group.

For live standings and every qualification scenario, see our Group A page and the South Korea team page.