Mexico fans celebrate World Cup win at Sunset Park Library

World Cup action kicked off Thursday afternoon at Sunset Park Library, where neighbors gathered for a watch party as Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The Group A match was tense at times, with three players shown red cards. South Africa finished with nine players after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off in the second half. Mexico also finished a player down after defender César Montes was shown a red card in stoppage time.

Mexico took the lead early when Julián Quiñones scored in the ninth minute. Raúl Jiménez added a second goal in the 67th minute, giving El Tri a winning start to the tournament.

But for some spectators, the victory could have been bigger.

“They need to give more,” said Saúl, who brought his wife and baby to watch the match. “The other team had two players sent off. That’s enough to score about five goals, six goals. They have to show who Mexico is.”

Still, most fans at the library were happy with the win, cheering as the final whistle blew and Mexico secured its first three points of the tournament.

“My family is Mexican, so I just feel grateful to be Mexican and grateful that they won,” said Alexandra, 24. “They tried their best.”

One person watching at the library also pointed to the empty seats visible on television at Estadio Azteca.

“Los asientos están carísimos,” he said — the seats are way too expensive.

Reuters reported that some fans in Mexico City said they paid $3,000 or more to attend the opener.

But Sunset Park Library will continue hosting free World Cup watch parties, with its next scheduled event set for Spain vs. Cape Verde on Monday, June 15, at noon.