'Mexico's Kim Min-jae' Red Carded, Will Miss South Korea Match

Mexico's national football team coach Javier Aguirre expressed frustration after their 2-0 victory over South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The win was overshadowed by the red card shown to defender Cesar Montes in stoppage time.

Montes, often dubbed 'Mexico's Kim Min-jae' for his defensive prowess, will be suspended for the team's next crucial match against South Korea on June 19. Aguirre stated, "He inflicted a loss that will be difficult for us to manage in the next game."

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He inflicted a loss that will be difficult for us to manage in the next game.

Before his ejection, Montes delivered a stellar performance, boasting a 92.3% pass success rate and making three clearances, according to football statistics site SofaScore. Aguirre praised him as "a fantastic game leader in the defense until he was sent off." The 195cm center-back is also a threat during set pieces, having assisted a goal with a header in the 2022 Qatar World Cup against Saudi Arabia.

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He delivered a fantastic game leader in the defense until he was sent off.