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Raul Jimenez Scores First Goal for Mexico After Four World Cup Appearances
The Wolverhampton striker netted Mexico’s second goal in their opening win over South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener.
The wait is over for Raul Jimenez, who finally scored for Mexico at his fourth FIFA World Cup appearance. In the 67th minute of the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — where El Tri defeated South Africa 2–0 at the Estadio Azteca — the so-called “The Tepeji's Wolf" made his long-awaited impact on football’s biggest stage.
A SWEET REWARD
The 35-year-old forward found the net with a right-footed header inside the box, meeting a cross delivered from the left flank by Gilberto Mora to the back post. The goal sealed Mexico’s first-ever victory in a World Cup opening match.
It came in his seventh World Cup appearance, finally ending his scoring drought on the tournament stage after failing to score in Brazil 2014 (against Brazil), Russia 2018 (against Germany and Brazil in the knockout stage), and Qatar 2022 (against Poland, Argentina, and Saudi Arabia in the group stage).
Injuries — particularly a serious pubic injury four years ago — had significantly affected his form, drawing criticism toward both the striker and former Mexico coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, especially given Jiménez’s strong club performances with Wolverhampton in the Premier League.
Fresh off his emotional return to Wolverhampton, the club where he became a European standout, Jiménez delivered a memorable moment at a stadium filled with personal history — from his debut days with Club América to his iconic bicycle-kick goal for Mexico against Panama in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, a strike that helped keep El Tri’s World Cup hopes alive.
WHO DID RAUL JIMENEZ DEDICATE HIS GOAL TO?
After scoring, the Club América academy graduate raised his arms and looked up to the sky, in a clear tribute to his father, Raul Jimenez Vega, who passed away on March 11 of this year.
Jiménez Vega played a key role in shaping the Mexican striker’s career, making the long-awaited goal even more emotional. The official Mexico national team social media accounts also highlighted the heartfelt moment.
