Julian Quinones scores opening goal of FIFA World Cup 2026 as Mexico takes on South Africa at Estadio Azteca
Julian Quinones' remarkable strike has given the squad confidence. With the first goal already secured, Mexico will look to build momentum and make a strong impression in front of their home supporters.
Mexico launched their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with an unforgettable moment when Julian Quinones scored the tournament’s first goal just nine minutes into their match against South Africa at Estadio Azteca on Thursday. The Colombian-born forward took full advantage of a defensive mistake to put the hosts 1-0 up and send the passionate home crowd into raptures. The early strike set a positive tone for Mexico on home soil in what is already shaping up to be a memorable tournament.
Who is Julian Quinones?
At 29, Julian Quinones has quickly become an important attacking threat for Mexico. Born in Colombia, he made his senior international debut for El Tri in 2023 and has since earned 23 caps. His decision to represent Mexico has added real quality to the forward line.
Quinones' club form has been outstanding. Playing for Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League, he finished the recently concluded season as the league’s top scorer with 33 goals. That clinical finishing carried into the World Cup, where he delivered when it mattered most for his adopted country.
How Julian Quinone scored the first goal of FIFA World Cup 2026
The breakthrough came from high pressing and quick reactions. Mexico’s Lira forced an error from the South African defense right in front of the box and won the ball cleanly. He slipped it to Julian Quinones, who took one touch before firing a low shot through goalkeeper Williams’ legs and into the net.
The first goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026 arrived in just over eight minutes. Estadio Azteca erupted as Quinone celebrated with his teammates, while the Mexican supporters roared in delight at seeing their team take an early lead in front of their own fans.
A special rematch
This opening fixture carries a nice historical link. Mexico and South Africa were also the teams that kicked off the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, where they played out a 1-1 draw. Sixteen years later, the same two sides met again at the iconic Estadio Azteca to begin the 2026 edition.
The coincidence added extra meaning to the occasion and created a bridge between two different World Cup eras. It brought back memories of that emotional tournament while marking the start of this expanded 48-team competition.
Mexico becomes the first country to host three men’s World Cups
This World Cup holds special significance for Mexico. The nation is making history as the first country to host the men’s tournament three times after staging the event in 1970 and 1986. Now, in 2026, Mexico is co-hosting alongside the United States and Canada.
Estadio Azteca is hosting the opening match for the third time in its legendary history. The passionate atmosphere created by Mexican fans added real emotion to the night, as they watched Julian Quinones write his name into World Cup history with the tournament’s opening goal.
About the Author
Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.
Stay updated with all the latest news and insights on Cricket, Football, and Tennis at Livemint Sports. Catch the live action of theT20 World Cup 2026 with the complete T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule, and the T20 World Cup 2026 Points Table. Also, know who are currently leading the charts for Most Runs in T20 World Cup 2026 and Most Wickets in T20 World Cup 2026.
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