MEXICO CITY — Three players were shown red cards in the opening match of the World Cup on Thursday at Estadio Azteca, marking the first time three players have been ejected in a World Cup opening match, according to match records.
South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane, along with Mexico defender César Montes, were sent off in the match between South Africa and tournament co-host Mexico.
Match officials issued all three red cards directly, and none of the dismissals resulted from a second yellow card.
Sithole received a red card early in the second half after a foul on Mexico’s Brian Gutiérrez near the edge of the penalty area.
Zwane was later sent off in the 84th minute after a video review determined he struck Mexico’s Roberto Alvarado in the face.
Montes received a red card in stoppage time after fouling South Africa’s Khuliso Mudau.
Mexico won the match 2-0.
The three red cards set a record for a World Cup opening match. The previous highest total for a World Cup match remained four red cards, issued during a 2006 match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Nuremberg.
The 2006 match included two red cards for each team and 16 yellow cards, according to tournament records.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar recorded four total red cards across the entire tournament.
