Raul Jimenez stood in the centre of the Estadio Azteca, tears streaming down his face. The Mexico striker had just powered in a header to seal a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the 2026 World Cup opener – a moment he had waited a lifetime for, and one that seemed impossible a few years ago.
In November 2020, Jimenez fractured his skull in a sickening head injury on the pitch that nearly killed him. Now, less than six years later, the 35-year-old, who completed a move from Fulham to former club Wolves earlier this week, connected with Roberto Alvarado’s right-wing cross in the 67th minute to score his 46th goal for Mexico in his 125th appearance – moving him joint second in the country’s all-time list, behind only Javier Hernandez on 52.
“Raul Jimenez scored and wept for Mexico in their World Cup opener, six years after a fractured skull nearly killed him.”
It was Jimenez’s first World Cup start after six substitute appearances across three previous tournaments. He almost scored in the fourth minute, forcing a superb save from South Africa’s Ronwen Williams. Then, after Julian Quinones had opened the scoring in the ninth minute – the fastest goal in a World Cup opener in twenty years – Jimenez sealed the win, leapt high, celebrated wildly, and pointed to the sky, seemingly in tribute to his father Raul Jimenez Vega, who died in March.
As 80,000 fans erupted, Jimenez was mobbed by his teammates. “We really congratulated him because he gives a lot to the team,” said Quinones. “Being part of a team is our pride and it’s wonderful he continues to add goals to his career as a player in our national team.”
Former England defender Gary Neville, speaking on ITV, called it “likely the greatest moment of his life from a football perspective, scoring in front of 80,000 in that stadium, in his home country.” Ex-England striker Ian Wright added: “It was very emotional for Raul Jimenez. If it was me, I would probably feel the same. The thing about it is when he scores the goal as he runs off, you can see the realisation and that is where the emotion comes.”
The match was also notable for three red cards – the first dismissal in an opening game since 1994. South Africa’s Yaya Sithole was sent off early in the second half, followed by Themba Zwane after a VAR intervention, and Mexico’s Cesar Montes in stoppage time. But not even that could dampen the Mexican energy.
Before kick-off, the opening ceremony featured Shakira and Burna Boy, with the Colombian star performing the official World Cup song “Dai Dai”. The performers wore indigenous clothing, and most of the stadium was filled with fans in green. A performer announced: “Bienvenida a México. Welcome to Mexico. Mexico receives you with smiles from our heart. We are a nation of diversity, heritage and pride.”
Mexico’s win puts them level on points at the top of Group A, after South Korea came from behind to beat Czechia 2-1, inspired by In-beom Hwang. If Mexico top the group, they could play their last-32 and last-16 games in their capital city – a prospect that underlines the influence of home advantage.
For Jimenez, the journey from near death to World Cup hero is complete. As he held back tears in front of 83,000 fans, the magnitude of his comeback was impossible to ignore.