Jimenez returns from life-threatening injury to lead Mexico past South Africa
The 35-year-old striker scored his first World Cup goal in his first start, moving to joint second in Mexico’s all-time scoring list as co-hosts defeated South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener.
Mexico opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over South Africa at the Estadio Azteca on 11 June 2026, marking the commencement of the first tournament jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Julian Quinones provided the opening assist for the tournament’s first goal in the ninth minute, but the defining narrative of the match centred on veteran striker Raul Jimenez, who secured the win with a header in the 67th minute.
Jimenez’s goal represented a significant personal and professional milestone, marking his first World Cup start and his first goal in the finals tournament. The 35-year-old completed a remarkable recovery from a life-threatening fractured skull sustained in November 2020 while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The injury had previously kept him from the pitch for eight months and required the use of a reinforced headband for protection in subsequent matches.
The strike moved Jimenez to joint second place in Mexico’s all-time goalscoring list with his 46th international goal, trailing only Javier Hernandez, who holds 52 goals. Jimenez had previously made six substitute appearances across three World Cup tournaments but had never started or scored in the competition until this opener. He connected with a cross from Roberto Alvarado to power the ball into the net, a moment that saw him point to the sky in a tribute to his father, Raul Jimenez Vega, who died in March 2026.
The match was also characterised by significant disciplinary issues, with three red cards issued during the contest. South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole was sent off in the 49th minute, and Themba Zwane followed in the 84th minute, leaving the visiting side with nine players. Mexico’s Cesar Montes also received a red card, though the result remained unaffected.
Former England international Gary Neville and Ian Wright provided commentary on the emotional weight of the achievement, noting the significance of Jimenez scoring in front of 80,000 fans in his home country. Edu Rubio, a former assistant manager at Wolves, highlighted Jimenez’s resilience and the support of his family, describing the goal as a dream come true for the striker who recently returned to Molineux from Fulham.
