Pakistan, June 13 -- Mexico got the World Cup party started as the co-hosts swept away South Africa 2-0 on Thursday in a tempestuous clash with three red cards as the ?pyrotechnic smoke of the opening ceremony gave way to a cloud of red mist at a rocking Azteca stadium.

The match fired the starting gun for the ?quadrennial extravaganza, yet the scrappy encounter will likely be remembered not for its thrilling football but for its flurry of dismissals.

Julian Quinones's early strike set the tone for a dominant Mexican display in the Group A match with Raul Jimenez's header midway through the second half removing any lingering tension for the home crowd.

Yet South Africa were reduced to 10 men when Sphephelo Sithole was sent off early in...