Quinones carries RSL form into FIFA World Cup to fire Mexico to win

From 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League golden boot to first goalscorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Julian Quinones didn’t miss a beat.

The Al Qadsiah forward, the top marksman in the recently concluded domestic campaign, lit up the opening match at the global finals on Thursday night, when he swept Mexico in front on nine minutes against South Africa at a packed Estadio Azteca.

The goal, the fastest opener at a World Cup in two decades, sent the co-hosts on their way to a 2-0 victory. After Day 1 at the 2026 finals, Mexico sat top of Group A.

“I’m happy and excited to score my first World Cup goal, in such a spectacular stadium with amazing fans,” Quinones said afterwards as he collected the Man of the Match award. "It’s important for me to acknowledge what my teammates did to secure the first three points.

“We’ve felt the support of the fans these past few days. We’re united and today it really showed.”

For Quinones, the star showing carried over his form from a spectacular RSL season in which he netted 33 times in 31 appearances to seal the golden boot - made possible by his hat-trick on the final day at then-champions Al Ittihad.

That game, which consolidated Al Qadsiah’s fourth-placed finish, saw Quinones voted Man of the Match for a league-high 14th time in 2025-26, ensuring he was named the RSL’s Fans’ Player of the Season.

The Al Qadsiah attacker will next be in action on June 19, when Mexico take on South Korea in Guadalajara.