The World Cup kicked off in Mexico City with an unusual occurrence: three players received red cards during the opening match. This level of expulsion hasn’t been seen since the 2006 match between Portugal and the Netherlands, which set the World Cup record with four red cards.

The previous tournament in Qatar in 2022 only saw four red cards across all its matches. This highlights the rarity of the situation at Azteca Stadium, where South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane, along with co-host Mexico’s César Montes, were dismissed.

Each red card given in this match was a straight dismissal, with none of the players receiving a prior yellow card. As a result, the next match for South Africa against the Czech Republic, and Mexico’s upcoming game with South Korea in Guadalajara, will take place without these key players, who are suspended for at least one match.

During the match, Mexico secured a 2-0 victory. Sithole received his red card for a foul on Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez early in the second half. Following a video review, Zwane was ejected in the 84th minute for a strike to Roberto Alvarado’s face. In stoppage time, Montes received his red card for a foul on Khuliso Mudau.

The infamous 2006 World Cup match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Germany remains unforgettable for its disciplinary issues, with 16 yellow cards issued alongside the four red cards—two for each team. The current World Cup opening match now stands as a significant event in the tournament’s disciplinary history.

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