Julián Quiñones put the ball in the net at Estadio Azteca on June 11, 2026, and in doing so wrote himself into World Cup history. The 29-year-old forward scored the opening goal of the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup, leading Mexico to a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the tournament’s first match.
From Magüí Payán to the Azteca
Quiñones was born on March 24, 1997, in Magüí Payán, a municipality in the Nariño department of Colombia. Growing up in the troubled Telembí Triangle region, he found a pathway through the Fútbol Paz social program, which helped young athletes pursue professional careers. Quiñones eventually made his way to Mexico as a teenager to chase a professional football career.
After representing Colombia at youth level, Quiñones became a naturalized Mexican citizen in 2023, making him eligible to represent El Tri on the senior international stage.
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