en.malanginspirasi.com – It was the moment Raul Jimenez had spent a lifetime waiting for one that, just a few years prior, seemed tragically impossible after contributing to Mexico’s victory against South Africa at FIFA World Cup 2026, Friday June 12th.
In November 2020, the Mexican striker faced a life-threatening, sickening skull fracture on a football pitch.
Yet, less than six years later, the 35-year-old stood emotional and triumphant after powering home a header to seal a 2-0 victory for World Cup co-hosts Mexico against South Africa at the iconic Azteca Stadium.
Connecting beautifully with Roberto Alvarado’s right-wing cross in the 67th minute, Jimenez leaped high to score Mexico’s second goal.
He celebrated wildly before pointing to the sky—a poignant tribute to his father, Raul Jimenez Vega, who passed away in March.
Also Read:
Guillermo Ochoa to Retire from Football After FIFA World Cup 2026
As the 80,000-strong crowd erupted, Jimenez was visibly moved to tears while being mobbed by his teammates.
“We really congratulated him because he gives a lot to the team,” said Julian Quinones, who opened the tournament’s scoring in the ninth minute. “Being part of a team is our pride, and it’s wonderful he continues to add goals to his career.”
Rewriting the Record Books
The historic match marked several major milestones for Jimenez.
The goal was his 46th in 125 international appearances, moving him into a joint-second place on Mexico’s all-time top scorers list, trailing only Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez (52 goals).
Despite making six previous World Cup appearances in 2014, 2018, and 2022, this match marked Jimenez’s very first World Cup start.
He nearly scored just four minutes in, forcing a brilliant save from South Africa’s Ronwen Williams.
The goal capped an extraordinary week for Jimenez, who just days earlier finalized a transfer from Fulham back to his former club, Wolves.
The Accident That Changed Everything
Jimenez’s career had been on a stellar trajectory. Following stints at America, Atletico Madrid, and Benfica, his 2018 loan to Wolves turned permanent in a club-record £30m deal after a blistering 17-goal season in 2019-20.
Then came November 29, 2020. An accidental, horrific clash of heads with Arsenal’s David Luiz left Jimenez unconscious and receiving oxygen on the pitch while terrified teammates and family watched on.
Within 6 months, he returned to non-contact training before finally making his competitive return for Wolves. Then, after 10 months he cored his first post-injury goal vs. Southampton, Sept 2021.
After three seasons with Fulham starting in 2023, his return to Molineux was confirmed just this week.
