Julian Quinones, who outscored Ronaldo, makes history with first goal of 2026 FIFA WC

Not galore players person managed to outscore Cristiano Ronaldo successful the Saudi Pro League. Julian Quinones did precisely that successful the 2025-26 season. And connected Thursday night, the Mexican striker carried that signifier onto football's biggest stage, scripting a portion of FIFA World Cup history.The 29-year-old forward, who netted 33 goals successful 31 league games for Al Qadsiah — 5 much than Ronaldo's tally of 28 goals successful 30 matches for Al Nassr — scored the opening extremity of the FIFA World Cup 2026 arsenic Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 successful beforehand of a packed Estadio Azteca.More significantly, Quinones became the archetypal subordinate from a CONCACAF federation to people the opening extremity of a World Cup tournament.

Historic onslaught sparks Azteca celebrations

With 80,000 fans creating a deafening ambiance successful Mexico City, the co-hosts struck successful conscionable the ninth minute.

South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams attempted to play retired from the back, but a misplaced walk and mediocre power from Sithole allowed Erik Lira to triumph possession and provender Quinones.The Al Qadsiah prima needed nary 2nd invitation. From the borderline of the box, helium unleashed a almighty effort that squeezed done Williams' legs and into the net, sending the iconic stadium into raptures.It was the earliest opening extremity of a World Cup since Philipp Lahm scored for Germany aft six minutes against Costa Rica successful 2006.

While France's Lucien Laurent remains the archetypal subordinate to people successful a World Cup match, having done truthful against Mexico successful 1930, Quinones added his ain section to the tournament's affluent history. In the erstwhile variation successful Qatar successful 2022, Ecuador skipper Enner Valencia had scored the competition's archetypal extremity against hosts Qatar.

Mexico overpower South Africa

Quinones remained Mexico's biggest menace passim the opening half, adjacent striking the post, earlier seasoned striker Raul Jimenez doubled the vantage successful the 67th infinitesimal with a almighty header successful his 4th World Cup appearance.South Africa's task became progressively hard aft Sithole was sent disconnected aboriginal successful the 2nd half. Matters worsened erstwhile Zwane received different reddish paper successful the 83rd minute, reducing the visitors to 9 men. Mexico besides had a subordinate dismissed successful stoppage time, making it a lucifer that produced 3 reddish cards.The triumph extended Mexico's singular dominance implicit African absorption to 22 consecutive wins crossed each competitions, with their past decision against an African broadside coming against the aforesaid opponents successful the 2005 Gold Cup.It was besides the 20th World Cup lucifer hosted astatine the iconic Estadio Azteca — the astir by immoderate stadium successful tourney past — and Mexico ensured the celebrated venue witnessed yet different memorable night.For Quinones, though, this was a signifier worthy of his increasing reputation. First, helium finished supra Cristiano Ronaldo successful the Saudi scoring charts. Now, helium has go the antheral who opened the scoring astatine the 2026 FIFA World Cup — a feat nary subordinate from the CONCACAF portion had ever achieved before.