Clarets striker Foster endures losing start to World Cup campaign
Lyle Foster’s South Africa lose opening match of the World Cup to co-hosts Mexico
It was a miserable start to the World Cup for Burnley striker Lyle Foster.
The forward was named in the starting line-up for South Africa’s opening group game against joint-host nation Mexico at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
However, Mexico ensured Foster and his countrymen began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat.
Goals from Julian Quinones and Fulham’s Raul Jimenez in either half gave them a victorious start against a South Africa side who finished the match with nine men.
Cesar Montes’ dismissal in stoppage time took some of the shine off for the co-hosts in an otherwise upbeat afternoon.
Mexico 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 Williams to give the co-hosts a dream start in the ninth minute.
Quinones came close to adding his second with seven minutes of the half remaining, hitting the base of a post from a Brian Gutierrez lay-off that had Williams beaten.
Sithole’s miserable afternoon was complete when he was red-carded for bringing down Gutierrez just outside the box early in the second period, but it took until midway through the half for Mexico to kill off the contest.
Roberto Alvarado stood the ball up to the far post from the right and Jimenez headed in from close range.
South Africa substitute Themba Zwane was sent off after a VAR review for appearing to strike Alvarado in the face late on as the pair tangled, on a day which firmly belonged to the host nation.
Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio produced one more red, sending off Montes in stoppage time for a challenge on Khuliso Mudau.
Foster had one headed effort which went wide in the first half before he was substituted in the 59th minute