Julian Quinones has scored the opening goal of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico’s Group A match against South Africa.
The fixture is a repeat of the first game at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with the famous Estadio Azteca playing host this time.
Everyone remembers Siphiwe Tshabalala’s stunning strike for the Bafana Bafana 16 years ago, and now Quinones has written his name into the history books.
Here is everything you need to know about the Mexican star who outscored Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2025/26 season.
Everything you need to know about Mexico’s Julian Quinones
Julian Quinones is a 29-year-old forward who plays for Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League and the Mexican national team.
Quinones was born and raised in Colombia, but he moved to Mexican club Tigres as an under-20 and spent the next five years there.
He declined a call-up to the Colombian national team in May 2023 before making his Mexico debut in November that year.
Quinones also played for Liga MX clubs Atlas and Club America before moving to Al-Qadsiah in 2024 for a reported $16 million.
Having become the most expensive sale by a Mexican club, the striker has more than proven his worth in Saudi Arabia.
Quinones scored 20 goals in his debut Saudi Pro League season and followed that up with 33 goals in the 2025/26 campaign.
He even won the Golden Boot ahead of England international Ivan Toney (32) and Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo (28).
However, Quinones’ finest moment has just come in front of 83,000 spectators at the Estadio Azteca.
After South Africa were dispossessed on the edge of the area, the forward cut inside and fired the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs.
Whatever happens to Mexico during the remainder of the 2026 World Cup, Quinones’s goal will never be forgotten.
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