Many players were not able to score out. Cristiano Ronaldo In the Saudi Pro League, Julian Quince did just that in the 2025-26 season. And on Thursday night, the Mexican striker took that form to football’s biggest stage, FIFA World Cup HistoryThe 29-year-old forward, who scored 33 goals in 31 league games for Al-Qadisiyah – five more than Ronaldo’s tally of 28 goals in 30 appearances for Al-Nasser – scored the opening goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 at Azstadio Epacka.More importantly, Quinos became the first player from a CONCACAF country to score the opening goal of a World Cup tournament.
The historic strike sparked Azteca celebrations.
With 80,000 fans in Mexico City creating a deafening atmosphere, the co-hosts struck in just the ninth minute. South African goalkeeper Ron Wayne Williams tried to play from the back, but Sithole’s misplaced pass and poor control allowed Eric Lira to win possession and feed Quinoz.Al-Qudsiya star did not need any other invitation. From the edge of the box, he unleashed a powerful effort that went through Williams’ legs and into the net, sending the famous stadium into raptures.It was the opening goal of the World Cup since Philipp Lahm scored after six minutes for Germany against Costa Rica in 2006.While France’s Lucien Laurent is the first player to score in a World Cup match, having done so against Mexico in 1930, Quiñones adds his own chapter to the tournament’s rich history. In the previous edition in Qatar 2022, Ecuador captain Ener Valencia scored the first goal of the competition against hosts Qatar.
Mexico defeated South Africa.
Before the veteran striker, Quinones was Mexico’s main threat throughout the opening half, even hitting the post. Raul Jimenez Doubled the lead in his fourth World Cup with a powerful header in the 67th minute.South Africa’s task became more difficult after Sithole was sent off early in the second half. Matters worsened when Zwane received another red card in the 83rd minute, reducing the visitors to nine men. Mexico also had a player sent off in stoppage time, making it a match that featured three red cards.The victory extended Mexico’s impressive dominance over African opposition to 22 consecutive victories in all competitions, with the last defeat against an African team coming against the same opponents in the 2005 Gold Cup.It was also the 20th World Cup match hosted at the iconic Estadio Azteca – the most of any stadium in the tournament’s history – and Mexico ensured the iconic venue witnessed another memorable night.For Quinones, though, it was a stage worthy of his growing reputation. First, he finished above Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi scoring charts. Now, he has become the man to open the scoring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup – a feat never before achieved by a player from the Konkak region.
