Mexico overcame having two goals controversially ruled out to beat Group A rivals Cameroon courtesy of a strike from forward Oribe Peralta.
Giovani Dos Santos had a volley and a header disallowed, with replays suggesting both calls were incorrect.
Cameroon rarely threatened but a Samuel Eto'o shot hit the post and Benoit Assou-Ekotto's free-kick went wide.
However, Mexico secured victory when Dos Santos's shot was parried before Peralta arrived to slot in the rebound.
Match facts
Mexico's win over Cameroon was their first victory against an African team at a World Cup finals tournament.
Cameroon have only won one of their last 14 World Cup games
Despite firing in four more shots than opponents Mexico (9), Cameroon failed to manage a shot on target until the 90th minute.
Francisco Javier Rodriguez attempted 74 passes for Mexico, 38 more than any Cameroon player.
At a rain-lashed Estadio das Dunas in north-eastern city Natal, Cameroon almost stole a point late on when Benjamin Moukandjo's free header was acrobatically saved by keeper Guillermo Ochoa.
An equaliser would have been harsh on a Mexico side who put on an impressive performance, combining a strong work ethic with an attacking threat, and should serve them well when they play hosts Brazil on Tuesday, 17 June.
Peralta's seventh goal in nine competitive games prevented the dubious refereeing decisions from overshadowing the victory, while Cameroon's quality and prospects of getting into the second round appear limited with Croatia and Brazil to come.
There were questions about how these countries would fare, with both sides changing managers in scraping through World Cup qualifying.
A nimble Mexico, though, appeared determined to make the most of their time in Brazil, while a powerful-looking Cameroon showed their struggles had continued into the tournament.
The African side struggled to deal with the wing-backs in the 5-3-2 formation employed by the Aztecs, who appeared to have a legitimate early goal disallowed.
Hector Herrera crossed from the right and forward Dos Santos scored a left-foot volley only for the effort to be ruled out for offside, even though replays showed the strike should have stood.
Cameroon almost made it worse when left-back Assou-Ekotto followed up a marauding run by picking out Eto'o, whose first-time shot hit the outside of the post.
Mexico might have felt annoyed they were not in front and their grievances were added to when they had another goal controversially disallowed and a penalty shout rejected.
First, Dos Santos's header from a corner was ruled out, then the striker had a penalty shout turned down following a challenge from Aurelien Chedjou.
However, Mexico had only themselves to blame for not taking the lead just after the break. Dos Santos helped on a pass to release Peralta only for the striker to have his shot saved by onrushing keeper Charles Itandje.
The miss was almost punished when Assou-Ekotto's free-kick deflected just wide before Mexico's frustration turned to joy.
A Dos Santos shot was initially parried by Charles Itandje but Peralta was on hand to drive in the loose ball home for the winner.
Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (5)
Mexico
13 Ochoa
22 Aguilar
07 Lay�n
15 Moreno Booked
04 M�rquez
02 Rodr�guez
06 Herrera (Salcido - 92' )
23 V�zquez
10 dos Santos
19 Peralta (Hern�ndez - 74' )
18 Guardado (Fabi�n - 69' )
Substitutes
01 Corona
03 Salcido
05 Reyes
08 Fabi�n
09 Jim�nez
11 Pulido
12 Talavera
14 Hern�ndez
16 Ponce
17 Brizuela
20 Aquino
21 Pe�a
Cameroon
16 Itandje
04 Djeugoue (Nounkeu - 45' Booked )
02 Assou-Ekotto
06 Song (Web� - 79' )
03 N'Koulou
14 Chedjou
08 Moukandjo
17 Mbia
09 Eto'o
18 Enoh
13 Choupo-Moting
Substitutes
01 Feudjou
05 Nounkeu
07 N'Gu�mo
10 Aboubakar
11 Makoun
12 Bedimo
15 Web�
19 Olinga Essono
20 Salli
21 Matip
22 Nyom
23 Ndjock
Ref: Wilmer Rold�n
Att: 39,216
Source: BBC
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