Julian Quinones beats Cristiano Ronaldo to make history with first goal at FIFA World Cup 2026

Mexico’s Julian Quinones celebrates after scoring the opening goal. (AP photo) Few players have been able to surpass Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League. Julian Quinones did exactly that in the 2025-26 season. And on Thursday night, the Mexican striker carried that form onto football’s biggest stage and wrote a piece of World Cup history.The 29-year-old striker, who scored 33 goals in 31 league games for Al Qadsiah – five more than Ronaldo’s tally of 28 goals in 30 games for Al Nassr – scored the opening goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in front of a packed Estadio Azteca.More importantly, Quinones became the first CONCACAF player to score the opening goal in a World Cup tournament.

Historic strike sparks Aztec celebrations

With 80,000 fans creating a deafening atmosphere in Mexico City, the co-hosts struck in the ninth minute. South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams tried to play from the back, but a misplaced pass and poor control from Sithole allowed Erik Lira to gain possession and feed Quinones.The Al Qadsiah star did not need a second invitation. From the edge of the box, he unleashed a powerful effort that curled through Williams’ legs and into the net, sending the iconic stadium into raptures.It was the first opening goal at a World Cup since Philipp Lahm scored for Germany after six minutes against Costa Rica in 2006.While France’s Lucien Laurent remains the first player to score in a World Cup match when he did it against Mexico in 1930, Quinones has added his own chapter to the tournament’s rich history. In the previous edition in Qatar 2022, Ecuador captain Enner Valencia scored the first goal of the competition against hosts Qatar.

Mexico beat South Africa

The Chinones remained Mexico’s biggest threat throughout the opening half, even hitting the post before veteran striker Raul Jimenez doubled the advantage in the 67th minute with a powerful header in his fourth World Cup appearance.South Africa’s task became increasingly difficult after Sithole was sent off early in the second half. Things got worse when Zwane received another red card in the 83rd minute to reduce the visitors’ tally to nine. Mexico also had a player sent off in stoppage time, making it a game that produced three red cards.The win extended Mexico’s remarkable dominance over African opposition to 22 consecutive wins in all competitions, with their last defeat against an African side 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 history of the tournament – and Mexico ensured the famous venue witnessed another night to remember.For Quinones, however, it was a stage worthy of his growing reputation. He finished first in the Saudi scoring table above Cristiano Ronaldo. He has now become the man to open the scoring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup – something no player from the CONCACAF region has ever done before.