Raúl Jiménez heads Mexico to World Cup opening win – and scores his first World Cup goal

The skull fracture of 2020 and the return to the pitch

The fact that Jiménez was even on the pitch and allowed to step onto this stage is anything but a given. In November 2020, the then-Wolverhampton Wanderers striker collided heads with defender David Luiz in a Premier League match against Arsenal FC. He suffered a skull fracture and serious brain injuries, and his life hung by a thread. At St Mary's Hospital, surgeons had to perform emergency surgery to save the player from the worst.

The headband as a constant companion

The injury did not pass without lasting effects, but Jiménez fought his way back. In August 2021, he celebrated his comeback and has since worn a distinctive headband that secures a larger protective pad over his right ear to protect the surgical scar. The Spanish newspaper "El País" wrote about the striker: "Raúl Jiménez' Karriere stand 2020 kurz vor dem Aus – ebenso wie sein Leben" and continued: "Es sah so aus, als würde seine Karriere nach drei WM-Teilnahmen ohne Torerfolg ausklingen, doch dieses Feuer trieb ihn an, weiterzukämpfen."

Scenes from the Azteca Stadium

Mexico had previously taken a 1:0 lead and was playing against the South Africans with a numerical advantage, but the decisive goal initially refused to come. "Doch dann – im genau richtigen Moment – tauchte Raúl Jiménez im Strafraum auf und köpfte zum 2:0 für Mexiko ein," wrote the Spanish sports press service. The assist was provided by a teammate, whom Jiménez later praised highly: "Er hatte mir schon in der Halbzeit gesagt, dass ich eine Flanke dorthin schlagen solle."

With tears in his eyes, the veteran celebrated his goal in the Azteca Stadium, filled with more than 80,000 fans. "Ich bin sehr glücklich und freue mich, diesen Traum leben und hier stehen zu dürfen," said the goalscorer after the match: "Meine Gedanken waren schon seit heute Morgen bei dem Spiel und ich habe darauf gebrannt, auf dem Platz zu stehen." According to Mexican media, Jiménez dedicated the goal to his father, who passed away in March at the age of 62.

Coach Aguirre and the emotional dedication

The Mexican national team coach Javier Aguirre was also visibly moved. "Er ist ein toller Junge und ich habe schon gesagt, dass dies seine WM sein wird," said Aguirre, adding: "Ich bin sehr froh für ihn: Er hat das verdient." The coach also stated: "Ich habe ein Interview gelesen, in dem er sagte, diese solle seine WM werden." Summing up the day, Aguirre said simply: "Es war ein perfekter Tag für ihn."

With the goal against South Africa, Jiménez has ended a special personal streak. At the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups, he had been part of Mexico's squad but failed to score in any of the three tournaments. The opening goal on 11 June 2026 was his first World Cup goal – fittingly in the country of his birth and in the very stadium where he had played so many times before.

Jiménez has pursued his football career in Mexico, Portugal, Spain and, above all, England. He is currently under contract with Fulham FC, with the deal running until 30 June 2026. After that, according to English and Mexican media reports, the forward will return to Wolverhampton Wanderers, his former club. His market value is estimated at 3.00 million euros, while the total value of Mexico's 26-man squad stands at 191.85 million euros.

Statistically, too, the match against South Africa was a milestone for Jiménez. Before the opening game, the striker had 129 appearances for "El Tri" and 44 international goals. That put him third on the all-time scoring list, behind Mexico's record internationals Chicharito (52 goals) and Jared Borgetti (46 goals). With his header against South Africa, he moved further up the historical mark with 45 goals.

Outlook on the remaining group matches

Under current coach Aguirre, Jiménez has scored twelve goals in 20 international matches, underscoring his central role in Mexico's attacking play. In the Premier League, he had netted 28 goals for Wolverhampton and later Fulham over the past three seasons, nine of them with his head – a typical way for him to score, which once again proved decisive in the World Cup opener.

The opening victory gives Mexico confidence ahead of the remaining group matches. After the opening game against South Africa, "El Tri" face encounters against South Korea. If Jiménez maintains his form, he could not only threaten Jared Borgetti's goal record but, with time, also Chicharito's. In Mexico City on Thursday evening, it became clear that Raúl Jiménez's story is far from over.

Back at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Jiménez had won gold with the Mexican national team. The fact that, 14 years later, he scored his first World Cup goal in his home Azteca Stadium makes the circle of his career all the more special. The "Wolf of Tepeji" – his nickname – has put the chapter of the skull fracture behind him and arrived on the biggest stage in world football.