Julian Quinones recreated Siphiwe Tshabalala’s iconic celebration after scoring the opening goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against South Africa on Thursday, bringing back memories of one of the most memorable moments from the tournament’s 2010 edition.
The symbolism was hard to miss. Sixteen years ago, it was South Africa’s Tshabalala who scored the first goal of the World Cup against Mexico and celebrated with a choreographed dance that became one of the defining images of the tournament. On Thursday at the Estadio Azteca, Quinones opened the scoring for Mexico against South Africa and marked the moment with the very same celebration.
Tshabalala’s strike in Johannesburg on June 11, 2010 remains one of the most iconic goals in World Cup history. The South African winger unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner to send the home crowd into raptures and give Bafana Bafana the lead against Mexico in the tournament opener.
“Tshabalalaaaaaa! Goal Bafana Bafana! Goal for South Africa! Goal for all Africa! Jabulile! Rejoice!” commentator Peter Drury famously said as Tshabalala and his teammates celebrated.
Although Rafael Marquez rescued a point for Mexico in a 1-1 draw, the goal and the celebration endured long after the final whistle.
In the opening match of the 2026 tournament, it was Mexico who struck first. Quinones, playing in his first World Cup, capitalised on a costly South African error in the ninth minute. Ronwen Williams’ pass put Sphephelo Sithole under pressure near the edge of the penalty area and Mexico quickly won possession, allowing Quinones to slot the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs.
The forward then broke into the same dance celebration that Tshabalala had made famous 16 years earlier.
Mexico remained in control for much of the contest and doubled their lead through Raul Jimenez in the second half. The veteran striker headed home Roberto Alvarado’s cross to score his first World Cup goal.
South Africa’s task became increasingly difficult after Sithole was sent off for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity early in the second half. Themba Zwane was later shown a red card following a VAR review, leaving Bafana Bafana with nine men for the closing stages.
The 2-0 victory gave Javier Aguirre a winning start to Mexico’s home World Cup campaign, but one of the standout moments of the evening came shortly after Quinones found the net.
The first goal of the 2010 World Cup belonged to Tshabalala against Mexico. The first goal of the 2026 World Cup belonged to Quinones against South Africa. The celebration was the same.
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