Mexico's Julián Quiñones nets first goal of 2026 World Cup with clinical nutmeg in 2-0 win over South Africa

The 2026 World Cup is officially underway after Mexico’s 2-0 win over South Africa in the first match on Thursday — and it only took nine minutes for El Tri to score the first goal of the tournament. Julián Quiñones opened the scoring for Mexico — and the tournament as a whole — in dramatic fashion. It all started with a disastrous turnover for South Africa, as keeper Ronwen Williams passed to midfielder Yaya Sithole, who lost possession of the ball and let it fall to Quiñones. That's when the Mexican forward made South Africa pay, sending in a beautiful strike that went between Williams' legs. Williams, who had already held off one big chance from Mexico, was powerless against the nutmeg goal. The goal gave Mexico a 1-0 lead early in the first half. The host country would double that lead midway through the second half on a header by Raúl Jiménez, who was set up on a beautiful cross by Roberto Alvarado. From there on, the Mexicans coasted to an easy (albeit ugly) 2-0 win that feature three red cards. South Africa's Themba Zwane and Yaya were sent off, as well as Mexico’s Cesar Montes. Still, it was a great start for Mexico — and Quiñones wasted no time getting the party started with his ninth-minute goal.