Mexico triumphs thanks to Quiñones, who outshone Ronaldo.

Mexican forward Julián Quiñones successfully carried his outstanding club form onto football’s biggest stage. In the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Quiñones thrilled the home crowd at Estadio Azteca by scoring just nine minutes after kickoff.

Capitalizing on a major defensive error by the opposition, he calmly slotted the ball into the net to score the first goal of the 2026 World Cup. The historic strike not only ended his run of 17 consecutive international matches without a goal, but also became the first goal ever scored in the tournament’s newly expanded 48-team format.

During his 79 minutes on the pitch, Quiñones was a constant threat to South Africa’s defense. He registered four shots, tested the goalkeeper twice, and consistently caused problems for the opposition backline. When he was substituted, the crowd rose to its feet and rewarded him with a warm standing ovation.

This remarkable World Cup performance came on the heels of an exceptional season in the Saudi Pro League, where the 29-year-old striker dominated the competition. Playing for Al-Qadsiah, Quiñones delivered a masterclass in attacking football, tormenting defenders and establishing himself as one of the region’s most lethal forwards.

He won the prestigious Saudi Pro League Golden Boot after scoring 33 goals in 31 league appearances. His outstanding goal-scoring form saw him finish ahead of several high-profile stars, including Ivan Toney, who scored 32 goals, and global icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who finished with 28.

Maintaining incredible consistency throughout the campaign, Quiñones also contributed four assists, averaging more than one goal involvement per match. As a result, his success on the World Cup stage as a goalscorer appeared to be the natural continuation of an extraordinary year.