As reported by ZDFheute, Raúl Jiménez scored the goal that made it 2-0 against South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. It was his first World Cup goal ever – and an emotional moment for the 34-year-old, who stretched both arms toward the sky and shed tears after the header.
Jiménez, with 129 international caps the most experienced outfield player in the Mexican squad, wears a conspicuous headband with a protective pad over his right ear. It conceals the scar from a skull fracture he suffered in November 2020 while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers after a collision with Arsenal’s David Luiz. At the time, he lost consciousness and required emergency surgery; his life hung by a thread.
After months of rehabilitation, Jiménez made his comeback in August 2021 and has played with the protective headband ever since. That he can still play professional football at the highest level borders on a miracle. He has not lost his scoring instinct: with 45 goals, he is now the third-highest scorer in the history of the Mexican national team, behind Chicharito (52) and Jared Borgetti (46).
Assist provider Roberto Alvarado said after the match: “I am very happy for Raúl that he was able to score this goal. He told me at halftime that I should send a cross to that spot.” Jiménez himself explained: “I am very happy and glad to be able to live this dream and stand here. My thoughts have been on this game since this morning, and I was burning to be on the pitch.”
Source: www.zdfheute.de
