Mexico forward Julian Quinones was named Player of the Match after inspiring the host nation to a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the opening fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Azteca on Thursday.
The Al Qadsiah striker delivered an outstanding all-around performance, opening the scoring in the ninth minute before helping Mexico control the match on its way to collecting the first three points of the Group A campaign.
Raul Jimenez added Mexico’s second goal in the 67th minute, but it was Quinones who set the tone with the tournament’s first goal, calmly finishing after capitalizing on a defensive mistake by South Africa.
The goal not only gave Mexico an early advantage but also marked Quinones’ first-ever strike in a FIFA World Cup, making the evening even more memorable for the 29-year-old forward.
Beyond his goal, Quinones remained one of Mexico’s most influential attacking players throughout the match before being substituted in the 79th minute.
According to FotMob statistics, Quinones attempted five shots, including two on target, two off target and one blocked effort. His constant movement created problems for South Africa’s defense while allowing Mexico to maintain attacking pressure for much of the contest.
Operating primarily from the wing, Quinones also displayed impressive distribution. He completed 28 of his 33 passes and created two scoring opportunities for his teammates, underlining his importance beyond simply finding the back of the net.
His overall contribution earned him a match-high rating of 8.8 from FotMob, the best among all players on the field.
After the final whistle, Quinones expressed his delight at opening his World Cup account in front of Mexico’s home supporters, describing the occasion as one of the proudest moments of his career.
“I am happy and excited to score my first World Cup goal in such a spectacular stadium with incredible fans,” Quinones said, according to FIFA.
The former Liga MX standout also credited his teammates for the victory, insisting that the result reflected a collective effort rather than an individual performance.
“It is important for me to recognize everything my teammates did to secure our first three points,” he said.
“We have felt the support of the fans over the last few days. We are connected, and today that connection was truly visible.”
Quinones’ display highlighted the form that made him one of the most prolific forwards in Saudi Arabian football last season. Having arrived at the tournament after winning the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot, he immediately carried that scoring touch onto the biggest stage in international football.
With Mexico opening the World Cup in convincing fashion, Quinones has quickly emerged as one of the tournament’s early standout performers. His decisive goal, tireless attacking display and leadership in the final third not only earned him the Player of the Match award but also reinforced his growing importance to El Tri’s hopes of making a deep run on home soil.
