Mexico’s two goalscorers were overcome with emotion as they led their team to victory in the opening game of the World Cup.
Published June 11, 2026
Nine minutes into the 2026 World Cup opener, the hosts found a reason to celebrate when Julián Quiñones scored the opening goal of the tournament and Mexico took the lead against South Africa.
On Thursday, Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium became a cauldron of noise and celebration as Quinones took home the honor of becoming the World Cup’s opening goalscorer in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
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The partisan crowd was given another chance to celebrate when Mexico broke the opening day curse with a 2-0 victory in a thrilling encounter, with veteran striker Raul Jimenez adding a second goal in the 67th minute.
Here’s what you need to know about Mexico’s two goal scorers.
julian quinones
The 29-year-old forward was born and raised in Colombia and has played for the country’s youth and national teams, but has never played at the top level.
Quinones has been playing club soccer in Mexico since 2016, gaining citizenship in his home country in 2023 and paving the way for Mexico to represent Mexico in international soccer. It took just one month for Quinones to be called up to the national team, but the striker never looked back.
Quinones, who played for Al Qadsair in the Saudi Pro League and joined the club in 2024 for a reported $16 million, made a name for himself as a national team player.
He now joins the ranks of the most famous figures in soccer history, including Pele, as the man who scored the first goal at the World Cup.
Raul Jimenez
The veteran forward was visibly emotional when he scored his first World Cup goal with a header in the 67th minute, but there’s a reason why.
Jimenez’s goal also symbolized his remarkable comeback after recovering from a near-fatal skull fracture sustained in a collision with David Luiz in 2020 while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers. Since then, he has had to wear protective headgear in every match.
The 35-year-old returned to Wolves in August 2021 after eight months out and scored his first goal since injury the following month, dedicating it to his family and medical team in an emotional tribute.
Since losing his father in March, Jimenez has dedicated many of his goals to his late father, crying at the sky.
