Article by Daniel Grigore – Published Friday, June 12, 2026, 06:21 / Updated Friday, June 12, 2026 06:22
Javier Aguirre (67), the Mexico coach, was amused when he heard the conclusions of his counterpart on the South African bench, Hugo Broos. After the match which opened the World Championship, 2-0 for MexicoBroos said of the opponents that “at certain moments they were desperate, they didn't know what to do with the ball”.
At home, at the Estadio Azteca in the capital of Ciudad de Mexico, Javier Aguirre's team needed only 9 minutes to open the scoring in the game that inaugurated this edition of the World Championship.
The Mexicans had the possession and the big chances on their side, but the 2nd goal was left waiting. It came in '67, 18 minutes after Bafana Bafana had gone down to 10 men.
At the end of the game, the South African coach did not seem impressed by what the opponents played.
“We faced a good team, but I have to tell you that we played a good game. At certain moments of the game I saw a desperate Mexico, they didn't know what to do with the ball. The two central defenders were waiting with their foot on the ball, they couldn't find solutions”, said Hugo Broos.
Javier Aguirre responded to the South Africa coach: “Lucky we were desperate, otherwise I would have given them five!”
Confronted with the statements of his counterpart, Javier Aguirre was amused.
“Luckily we didn't know what to do with the ball and we were desperate. Because if not, I would give them five, brother! (no – laughs). I totally disagree with what Broos said.
I can say that they did not have a good defense. We had better possession and they hardly had a single shot on goal. This is the reality,” answered the Mexican coach, quoted by MARCA.
“Starting with a win is always important. We can and must play better. There was a drop in the game in the second half because of the atmosphere in the stadium. It's an extremely intense atmosphere and some people's legs were shaking.
Not everyone, but there were three or four cases of tendrils, and that's due to mental pressure,” he added, in a more serious tone.
As for the situation in the groupdidn't entertain the notion that Mexico couldn't possibly win the series:
“We're not obsessed with finishing first in the group. It's not important and it's not our priority. Right now, the only thing we're thinking about is the game against Korea.
We will try to be better than Korea, take everything step by step and see what the future holds. Ambitions and dreams have no limits.”
