Raúl Jiménez scores first World Cup goal as Mexico beats South Africa

Raúl Jiménez finally ended his World Cup scoring drought by netting his first-ever World Cup goal on June 11, 2026. The 35-year-old Mexican striker scored in Mexico’s opening match against South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. This is a notable milestone for Raúl Jiménez, who had played four prior World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022) without finding the net. With 45 international goals across 124 caps, the missing World Cup goal had long been an outlier in an otherwise strong international record. The goal also carries extra emotional context. Reports say Jiménez’s celebration was influenced by personal loss: his father passed away recently. Mexico’s broader context matters. The 2026 tournament expands to 48 teams, and Mexico—one of the hosts along with the United States and Canada—has historically struggled to advance beyond the Round of 16, a pattern fans often highlight. From a performance angle, Raúl Jiménez arrived after a strong Premier League run with Fulham. He previously suffered a severe skull fracture in 2020 while with Wolverhampton Wanderers, raising doubts about his ability to return. His ability to score at age 35 underscores a prolonged comeback and resilience at the highest level.