The ball is already rolling at the Azteca Stadium and Mexico leads 2-0 against South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. At 35 years old, striker Raúl Jiménez is experiencing one of the most symbolic moments of his career: he entered the field as a reference for the host team and found the net in the second half, increasing the score with a precise header.
Jiménez’s goal in the 67th minute crowned a journey of overcoming that began almost six years ago. Julián Quiñones had opened the scoring just nine minutes into the opening half. The clash repeats the opening game of the 2010 World Cup, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Serious injury almost ends career in 2020
In November 2020, Jiménez was going through a great phase at Wolverhampton when he suffered a serious head collision with David Luiz, from Arsenal. The skull fracture required emergency surgery. He needed to relearn basic movements, regain his balance and gradually resume training, always with special head protection.
Tactical adaptation returns protagonism
After recovering, the striker reinvented himself at Fulham, prioritizing tactical intelligence and experience. In the 2024/25 season, he scored 18 goals for club and country, helping Mexico win the Concacaf Gold Cup and Nations League. His good form keeps him as an important option in attack, often ahead of competitors like Santiago Giménez.
Return to Wolves closes symbolic circle
Recently, Jiménez returned to Wolverhampton, the club where he experienced his peak in Europe and also the trauma of a serious injury. The return carries strong emotional meaning for him and the fans.
Group A demands attention from the start
Mexico is in Group A with Czechia, South Korea and South Africa. The partial victory at home, with Azteca full, reinforces the pressure and the opportunity to start the tournament on the right foot under the command of Javier Aguirre.
For Raúl Jiménez, the opening game transcends the score. It represents the culmination of a story that involved drama, months of recovery and reinvention. With the goal scored on this special night, the striker transforms his presence on the field into an even greater victory of life over adversity.