Mexico defated South Africa 2-0 in the tournament’s second day,a match marked by three red cards and a volatile protest outside Estadio Azteca. South Korea later overturned a 1-0 deficit to beat Czechia 2-1 in Guadalajara, while viral Labubu dolls stole the spotlight during the opening ceremony.

Three Red Cards Shape Mexico’s 2-0 Victory Over South Africa

Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio issued three dismissals in the Mexico‑South Africa game,a tally that rivals the total red‑card count of the entire 2022 World Cup, according to the report... Yaya Sithole’s early foul set the tone,and later Cesar Montes and Themba Zwane were sent off after VAR reviews, leaving South Africa with nine men.

Julian Quinones opened the scoring after nine minutes, and Wolves striker Raul Jiménez added a second with a back‑post header, his first ever World Cup goal, as reported by Daily Mail Sport.

South Korea’s Late Substitution Pays Off in 2-1 Win Over Czechia

After Ladislav Krejci gave Czechia a 1-0 lead, South Korea equalised through Hwang In‑Beom before Hong Myung‑bo’s bold decision to pull Son Heung‑Min paid dividends when Oh Hyeon‑Gyu netted the winner in the final minutes.

The match unfolded before a largely empty Guadalajara stadium, a point highlighted by FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s claim of 500 million booking requests, yet many seats remained vacant, sparking criticism of the tournament’s ticketing strategy.

Protesters Clash With Police Outside Azteca Hours Before Kick‑off

Charlotte Daly, reporting from Mexico City, described how demonstrators demanding action on the country’s 133,000 missing‑persons crisis and teachers’ pay grievances turned violent ten minutes before the opening match, with rocks, flares and tear‑gas filling the air.

Police officers sustained injuries, including a female officer evacuated with a serious head wound,underscoring the tense atmosphere that accompanied the football festivities.

Labubu Dolls Go Viral After Opening Ceremony Performance

Life‑size Labubu dolls lifted a replica World Cup trophy during the opening ceremony, a moment that quickly eclipsed even Shakira’s headline performance, the source notes . The unexpected inclusion of the popular toy brand sparked millions of online shares, blending traditional Mexican culture with modern pop appeal.

Who Is Behind the Empty‑Seat Controversy?

While Infantino touted unprecedented ticket demand, the report highlights that hundreds of seats remained empty, raising questions about allocation fairness and security concerns that have yet to be fully addressed.