Mexico have ended their misery in World Cup opening matches with a 2-0 win over South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in a match featuring three red cards.
The co-hosts had been involved in seven matches which either alone, or jointly, opened previous tournaments, but had won none of them.
They put that right at the eighth attempt, however, as goals from Julian Quinones and Fulham's Raul Jimenez in either half gave them a victorious start against a South African side that finished with nine men.
Cesar Montes's dismissal in stoppage time took some of the shine off an otherwise upbeat afternoon for local fans.
They were a goal up inside 10 minutes when Sphephelo Sithole was caught in possession on the edge of his box by Erik Lira and the ball fell to Quinones, who drove a low shot through the legs of Ronwen Williams to give Mexico a dream start in the ninth minute.
