Mexico coach Javier Aguirre says his team looks to history as it hosts South Africa in the World Cup opener in Mexico City on Thursday, kicking off Group A. Both reports highlight Aguirre’s recollection of Mexico’s 1986 World Cup campaign, when the team opened the tournament at the Estadio Azteca. In that match, he played the full 90 minutes as Mexico beat Belgium 2-1, a performance that helped set a tone for the home side during the first game of the competition. Aguirre points to the confidence and atmosphere from that earlier opener, describing it as a comparison point for what Mexico hopes to recreate in the present tournament. Ahead of the kickoff, he frames the occasion as both an opportunity and a challenge for Mexico, with expectations shaped by the fact that the match is played on home soil and marks the start of Group A play. The reports provide context from Aguirre’s experience in 1986 while focusing on Mexico’s approach to the matchup with South Africa in the opener.