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South Africa set 20-year World Cup record in defeat to Mexico
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- South Africa set 20-year World Cup record in defeat to Mexico
Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP via Getty Images
South Africa have broken a 20-year World Cup record in their 2-0 defeat to Mexico on the opening day of the tournament.
Bafana Bafana were always likely to struggle against the hosts at the 83,000-capacity Estadio Azteca.
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However, they made an already difficult task nigh-on impossible with a lack of discipline in the second half.
South Africa even made an unfortunate piece of World Cup history against Mexico.
Mexico defeat leaves South Africa with unwanted World Cup record
South Africa were under pressure right from the first whistle, but they held Mexico to a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Julian Quinones capitalised on some sloppy play on the edge of the box and finished through Ronwen Williams ' legs.
Although they had struggled for 45 minutes, South Africa still had a realistic chance to earn a point at the Estadio Azteca.
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Unfortunately, almost all hope was lost in the 50th minute when the referee showed Yaya Sithole a straight red card.
Sithole was caught on the wrong side of Brian Gutierrez and brought him down as the last man just outside the box.
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
This gave South Africa next to no chance of completing a comeback, but that was not their only red card in the game.
Themba Zwane was sent off in the 84th minute for making contact with his opponent's face while battling for possession.
Many considered the referee's decision harsh, but that did not prevent Zwane from walking down the tunnel.
South Africa then became the first team to receive two red cards in a World Cup game since 2006.
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The Netherlands and Portugal received two red cards each in the round of 16, in a game known as the Battle of Nuremberg.
Bafana Bafana will now be looking to bounce back with a victory against Czechia on Thursday.
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