Who are Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez, Mexico's opening match scorers?
Mexico's Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez scored the goals in the World Cup 2026 opener against South Africa, with both players having remarkable personal stories behind their achievements.
In the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The two goals came from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez, each with a deeply emotional backstory.
Julian Quinones, a 29-year-old forward, scored the tournament's first goal in the 9th minute, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Born and raised in Colombia, Quinones played youth and international football for Colombia but never at senior level. He moved to Mexico in 2016 for club football and gained Mexican citizenship in 2023. Just a month later, he was called up to the national team. He currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah, which he joined in 2024 for a reported $16 million. Quinones now joins the ranks of legendary players like Pele as the scorer of the World Cup's opening goal.
Raul Jimenez, a 35-year-old veteran striker, added the second goal in the 67th minute with a header. It was his first-ever World Cup goal, and he was visibly emotional. Jimenez's journey includes a remarkable comeback from a near-fatal skull fracture sustained in a 2020 collision with David Luiz while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers. He was sidelined for eight months and now wears protective headgear in every match. Since losing his father in March, Jimenez has dedicated his goals to him, often pointing to the sky and breaking down in tears.
