The FIFA World Cup 2026 got underway in spectacular fashion as co-hosts Mexico secured a convincing 2-0 victory over South Africa in the tournament’s opening match.
Interestingly, this was not the first time these two nations had met in a World Cup curtain-raiser. The last occasion came in 2010 when host nation South Africa and Mexico played out a memorable 1-1 draw in Johannesburg. Sixteen years later, history repeated itself with the same fixture opening the tournament, but this time Mexico emerged victorious.
Goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez ensured a dream start for El Tri as they delighted the home crowd and claimed the first three points of the competition.
Quiñones Continues Remarkable Rise
The breakthrough came through Julián Quiñones, who has been enjoying the best form of his career. The striker entered the World Cup fresh off an outstanding 2025/26 Saudi Pro League campaign, where he finished as the league’s top scorer with 33 goals.
His achievement was made even more impressive by the calibre of players he outscored, finishing ahead of global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Ivan Toney, João Félix and Karim Benzema.
Having conquered the Saudi Pro League scoring charts, Quiñones etched his name into World Cup history by scoring the first goal of the 2026 tournament, giving Mexico the perfect start to their campaign.
Jiménez’s Inspirational Journey Comes Full Circle
While Quiñones grabbed the headlines with the tournament’s opening goal, Raúl Jiménez’s strike carried a story of resilience and determination that transcends football.
In November 2020, Jiménez suffered a horrific fractured skull and traumatic brain injury following a clash of heads with Arsenal defender David Luiz during a Premier League match for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The injury was so severe that many feared for both his career and his future health.
Against all odds, Jiménez returned to professional football and, 336 days after the injury, scored his first goal since the accident in one of the most remarkable comebacks the sport has witnessed.
Now, six years later, the Mexican forward is once again leading the line for his country on football’s biggest stage. His goal against South Africa in the opening match of the World Cup served as another chapter in an extraordinary story of perseverance.
Raúl Jiménez survived one of football’s most frightening injuries. Today, he thrives as a World Cup goalscorer once more.
The 2-0 victory gives Mexico the perfect platform as they begin their quest for a deep run on home soil. With Quiñones carrying his prolific club form into the international arena and Jiménez continuing to inspire millions with his remarkable journey, El Tri have announced themselves as a team ready to make an impact at FIFA World Cup 2026.
For South Africa, the tournament is far from over, but on opening night, the spotlight belonged to Mexico and two forwards whose stories captivated the footballing world.
