The match between South Korea and the Czech Republic in Group A of the North Central American World Cup, held on the 12th, drew global football fans' attention as it followed the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.

Mexico's dire performance at the last World Cup in Qatar served as a wake-up call for this year's event. The message was clear: El Tri needed new players if it wanted a different ending on home soil in 2026.

Mexican striker Raúl Jiménez dedicated his emotional first World Cup goal to his late father to power his side to beat South Africa in the World Cup opener.

The normal display of African unity in the early stages of a football World Cup was notably absent from social media as many fans from across the continent backed Mexico in the tournament's opening match against South Africa.

It may have been before the opening ceremony, when legendary Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa took the field for a moment of reflection, only to find the stadium already full of fans who sang his name.