Mexico vs South Africa Stats, Match Statistics, xG & Player Data
(Mexico City)
AFRICA
Mexico vs South Africa stats now show the Mexico national football team opening Group A with a 2-0 win over the South Africa national soccer team at Mexico City Stadium. Julián Quiñones scored after nine minutes, Raúl Jiménez added a second in the 67th minute, and three red cards shaped the final stretch. The numbers show Mexico controlled territory, shot volume, xG, and the emotional tone of the World Cup 2026 opener.
Mexico finished with 60.5 percent ESPN possession, 16 shots, four shots on target, and 1.78 xG in the FIFA post-match summary. South Africa managed three shots, two on target, and only 0.1 xG in the same official summary. The win gave Mexico the perfect start in World Cup 2026 Group A and put South Africa under pressure before matchday two.
Mexico vs South Africa Stats – Match Statistics Overview
Mexico controlled the opener from the first goal onward. ESPN listed Mexico with 60.5 percent possession, while FIFA’s post-match summary credited them with 57.1 percent in-possession time. Both feeds point to the same match pattern: Mexico spent longer on the ball and created far more pressure.
The shot gap tells the story more clearly than possession. Mexico took 16 shots and forced four on target, while South Africa took only three shots. South Africa’s two shots on target kept Raúl Rangel involved, yet Mexico defended the box well enough to keep the clean sheet.
Mexico vs South Africa Stats Snapshot
The snapshot uses verified full-time data from ESPN, FIFA’s post-match summary, and Opta-powered reporting. Mexico’s 2-0 scoreline fits the statistical flow because the hosts produced the better xG, more shots, more corners, and more complete passing. South Africa’s low xG shows how little they created after falling behind.
| Stat | Mexico | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 2 | 0 |
| Possession | 60.5% | 39.5% |
| Total Shots | 16 | 3 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 2 |
| Corner Kicks | 3 | 1 |
| Red Cards | 1 | 2 |
Attacking Stats Comparison
Mexico’s attacking edge came early and never disappeared. Quiñones punished South Africa’s defensive mistake in the ninth minute, and Jiménez later scored with a close-range header from Roberto Alvarado’s cross. The goals matched Mexico’s larger attacking volume.
South Africa offered almost nothing in sustained attack. The Analyst noted only 0.07 xG from three shots, while FIFA’s post-match summary rounded South Africa to 0.1 xG. Mexico’s 16 shots and 20 penalty-box touches kept the match tilted toward Ronwen Williams.
| Stat | Mexico | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 0 |
| xG | 1.78 | 0.1 |
| Total Shots | 16 | 3 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 2 |
| Blocked Shots | 5 | 0 |
| Shot Conversion | 13% | 0% |
Defensive Stats Comparison
Mexico’s defensive work became easier after Yaya Sithole’s 49th-minute red card. South Africa then lost Themba Zwane in the 84th minute, while César Montes also saw red in stoppage time. Even with that late dismissal, Mexico finished with the clean sheet.
The defensive table shows two different types of pressure. Mexico made 12 tackles, eight interceptions, and 15 clearances while controlling the ball. South Africa made 14 tackles and 17 clearances, but those numbers came from defending too much space.
| Stat | Mexico | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Tackles | 12 | 14 |
| Interceptions | 8 | 7 |
| Clearances | 15 | 17 |
| Blocks | 5 | 0 |
| Saves | 2 | 2 |
| Fouls Committed | 12 | 11 |
Passing and Possession Analysis
Mexico’s passing numbers matched their control. FIFA listed Mexico at 547 attempted passes and 495 complete passes, good for 90 percent completion. ESPN’s feed also showed a wide passing advantage, so both sources confirm Mexico’s cleaner buildup.
South Africa completed 290 of 351 passes in the FIFA summary, but much of that possession lacked depth. Their long-ball and crossing numbers did not produce enough touches in dangerous zones. As a result, Mexico defended forward and recovered the ball faster.
| Stat | Mexico | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Passes | 547 | 351 |
| Completed Passes | 495 | 290 |
| Pass Accuracy | 90% | 83% |
| Long Balls | 48 | 46 |
| Crosses | 12 | 8 |
| Cross Accuracy | 33% | 13% |
Key Player Statistics
Quiñones, Jiménez, and Alvarado gave Mexico the decisive player events. Quiñones scored the first goal of the tournament after Érik Lira’s assist. Jiménez finished the match as the emotional attacking headline because his header secured the result.
Mexico – Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez
Quiñones scored from the centre of the box in the ninth minute and later hit the post as Mexico pushed for control. Jiménez scored Mexico’s second with a 67th-minute header. Alvarado supplied the cross, which gave Mexico a clean two-goal cushion.
South Africa – Ronwen Williams and Yaya Sithole
Williams made two saves and faced a difficult workload behind a stretched defence. Sithole’s 49th-minute red card changed South Africa’s route back into the game. Zwane’s 84th-minute red card then ended any realistic comeback push.
Expected Goals Analysis
xG measures the quality of chances, and the official FIFA post-match summary gave Mexico a major edge. Mexico produced 1.78 xG from 16 shots, while South Africa produced only 0.1 xG from three shots. That gap supports the final score.
Opta’s public analysis put South Africa at 0.07 xG, which matches the same low-threat picture. The difference between 1.78 and 0.1 shows Mexico did more than hold the ball. They created higher-value chances and kept South Africa away from the six-yard danger zone, a useful marker for the World Cup 2026 stats records file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the better stats in Mexico vs South Africa?
Mexico had the better stats in the 2-0 win. They led possession, shots, xG, passes, corners, and the final score.
What is the expected goals xG for Mexico vs South Africa?
FIFA’s post-match summary listed Mexico at 1.78 xG and South Africa at 0.1 xG. Opta public analysis also had South Africa near 0.07 xG.
How many shots did Mexico have against South Africa?
Mexico recorded 16 total shots and four shots on target. South Africa recorded three total shots and two shots on target.
What was South Africa’s disciplinary record in the match?
South Africa received two red cards and two yellow cards. Yaya Sithole was sent off in the 49th minute, and Themba Zwane was sent off in the 84th minute.
Who scored in Mexico vs South Africa?
Julián Quiñones scored for Mexico in the ninth minute. Raúl Jiménez scored Mexico’s second goal with a header in the 67th minute.
The Mexico vs South Africa stats favour Mexico because the hosts controlled the ball, created 16 shots, and won the xG battle by a wide margin.
South Africa’s three shots and two red cards explain why the match never became a sustained contest after halftime.
Stay tuned to FWCTimes.com for the latest FIFA World Cup 2026 updates.
