Just nine minutes into the 2026 World Cup opener, host nation Mexico took the lead through Julian Quinones, putting the green-shirted side ahead of South Africa. The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City erupted as Quinones became the first scorer of this World Cup in front of tens of thousands of home fans.
Joy doubled when veteran striker Raul Jimenez added a second in the 67th minute, sealing a 2-0 win over the team that had been the 2010 hosts and breaking Mexico's opening-match curse. Here's what you need to know about the two goalscorers.
Julian Quinones
The 29-year-old forward was born and raised in Colombia, played for his country's youth teams but never earned a senior cap. Since 2016 he has played in Mexico, gaining citizenship in 2023 and earning a senior call-up just a month later. He now plays for Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League, joining the club in 2024 for a $16 million transfer fee. With his opening goal, Quinones etched his name alongside legends such as Pele.
Raul Jimenez
The 35-year-old striker could not hold back tears as he celebrated his first World Cup goal, a header in the 67th minute. It marked a remarkable return from a near-fatal skull fracture suffered in a collision with David Luiz in 2020 while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers. Jimenez has worn protective headgear in every match since. After losing his father in March, he often points to the sky and breaks down in tears, dedicating his goals to his late father.
