Mexico striker Julián Quiñones made history on Thursday by scoring the first goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the host nation took an early lead against South Africa in the tournament’s opening match.
The 29-year-old forward found the net in the ninth minute at the famous Estadio Azteca, taking advantage of a defensive mistake.
He calmly struck the ball from the edge of the penalty area, leaving South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams with no chance.
His goal became the first scored in the newly expanded 48-team World Cup, which is being hosted by Mexico, United States, and Canada.
Quiñones currently plays for Al-Qadsiah FC in the Saudi Pro League.
He joined the club in 2024 and extended his contract through 2029.
Prior to his time in Saudi Arabia, he played for several notable Mexican clubs, most recently Club América and Atlas.
Interestingly, the striker has only scored two career goals for the Mexican senior team before the opening match on Thursday.
His historic strike against the Bafana Bafana was just third career goal for the country.
In the match itself, Mexico began the match strongly and controlled much of the early play in front of a passionate home crowd.
Veteran striker Raúl Jiménez nearly opened the scoring in the fifth minute, but Williams produced an excellent save to keep South Africa level.
However, the pressure eventually paid off.
Four minutes later, Quiñones seized on a costly error by the South African defence and confidently fired home to send the stadium into celebration.
The strike instantly secured Quiñones a place in World Cup history as the first goalscorer of the 2026 tournament.
South Africa tried to fight back and enjoyed spells of possession, but they struggled to break down Mexico’s organised defence.
The game also became more physical as both teams battled for control in the midfield.
South Africa midfielder Teboho Mokoena received a yellow card in the 17th minute for a late challenge, while Mexico’s Brian Gutiérrez was also booked six minutes later.
For Quiñones, it was a moment he will never forget, as his name became the first to be written into the record books of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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