Ahead of Ronaldo and Benzema: The naturalized player who made World Cup history

Ticktiknu, 11.6 / Sport1

Even in Mexico, there were doubts about Julián Quiñones’ place in the lineup for the match against South Africa. But Javier Aguirre decided to gamble on the naturalized Colombian, and it paid off in a big way Thursday night, as he entered the historic list of players who have scored in a World Cup opening match.

The 29-year-old Quiñones has never played in Europe, but built his reputation with team and individual honors in Mexico until, in June 2024, he was purchased by Al Qadsiah for $16 million. That made him the biggest sale ever from the Mexican league. He finished his first season in Saudi Arabia with 20 goals, and in his second he already scored 33, which earned him the league scoring title. At the last moment, he surpassed Englishman Ivan Toney and also moved ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and João Félix.

Julián Quiñones, Mexico national team player, scores the first goal of the 2026 World Cup / Reuters

This is the first time Mexico has scored the tournament’s opening goal, despite taking part in six different opening matches. Quiñones is the first non-European scorer in an opening match since Siphiwe Tshabalala of South Africa, against Mexico in 2010. It is the fastest goal in an opening match since German Philipp Lahm, who did it in the sixth minute at the 2006 World Cup.