The biggest FIFA World Cup in history got underway on Thursday as co-host Mexico faced South Africa in the tournament’s opening match at the iconic Mexico City Stadium, formerly known as Azteca Stadium.
Despite ongoing protests and social tensions in the Mexican capital, more than 80,000 spectators attended the match at the renovated venue, which has been upgraded for the 48-team World Cup jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada.
The stadium made history by becoming the first venue to stage three World Cup opening matches, having previously hosted the tournament curtain-raisers in 1970 and 1986.
The match marked Mexico’s eighth appearance in a World Cup opener. The Mexicans had lost five of their previous opening matches and drawn the last two, including a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the 2010 World Cup.
South Africa, meanwhile, returned to the World Cup stage for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010. Bafana Bafana had also qualified for the 1998 and 2002 editions.
Mexico entered the tournament in strong form, carrying an eight-match unbeaten run and having not suffered a defeat since a friendly loss to Paraguay last November.
The team is coached by veteran manager Javier Aguirre, 67, who is serving his third spell in charge of the Mexican national side.