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The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off spectacularly at Estadio Azteca on Thursday, with co-hosts Mexico defeating South Africa 2-0 in a vibrant opening match. Colombian-born forward Julián Quiñones, who switched allegiance to Mexico, etched his name into World Cup history by scoring the tournament's first goal in just the ninth minute.
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Watch: Quiñones' historic opener as Mexico launches 2026 World Cup with stunning victory
Capitalizing on a defensive error and high press, Quiñones fired home a clinical finish to send the capacity crowd into frenzy. The Saudi League striker's stunning finish powered Mexico to the one-goal advantage, which ignited the entire stadium. The fans exploded in a sea of green, white, and red as flags waved wildly and celebrations erupted across Mexico and beyond.
Meanwhile, to make it even better for the fans, Raúl Jiménez added a second goal in the 67th minute, heading home to seal the victory in a match that also saw three red cards. This made sure there was no comeback from the opponents.
Meanwhile, following his stunning performance, Quiñones was named Man of the Match for his decisive contribution. The match marked a full-circle moment, coming 16 years after Mexico faced South Africa in the 2010 opener.
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