Quinones Strikes Early as Mexico Beat South Africa in World Cup Opener

Mexico opened their World Cup campaign in style on Thursday, with winger Julian Quinones scoring the tournament’s first goal to set the tone in a 2-0 win over South Africa at a packed Mexico City Stadium.

The breakthrough came in the ninth minute when the Al-Qadsiah forward unleashed a powerful low strike that beat the goalkeeper and lifted the home crowd into celebration. The early advantage allowed the co-hosts to control much of the match, while South Africa struggled to recover momentum.

Tensions ran high throughout the game, with the referee issuing three red cards, two of them against South Africa, leaving the visitors heavily disadvantaged as the match progressed.

Quinones, 29, currently one of the standout performers in Saudi football, added another memorable moment to his growing international profile. The forward, who plays for Al-Qadsiah, scored 33 goals this season, helping the club secure a fourth-place finish in the Saudi Pro League.

After finding the net, Quinones drew attention with a celebratory gesture, mimicking Siphiwe Tshabalala’s iconic celebration from the 2010 World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa, a symbolic moment that remains etched in tournament history.

The striker’s recent form has made him a key figure at club level. In May, he scored in a high-profile match where Al-Qadsiah defeated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr 3-1, a result that briefly impacted the Saudi title race. However, Al-Nassr ultimately secured the championship on the final day of the season.

Since joining Al-Qadsiah in 2024, Quinones has maintained an impressive scoring record, netting 62 goals in 68 appearances. His contract runs through the 2027/28 season, underscoring his importance to the Saudi side.

At international level, Quinones has represented Mexico 23 times, scoring once prior to this tournament. His strong performance in the opening match suggests he may play a more influential role as the competition progresses.

Mexico are set to face South Korea and Czechia in their remaining group-stage fixtures, with expectations rising that the co-hosts can build on their opening victory.

From club success in Dammam to the global stage at the Azteca-linked World Cup atmosphere in Mexico City, Quinones’ journey continues to draw attention as he looks to replicate his club form on football’s biggest stage.