RAUL JIMENEZ SCORES FIRST WORLD CUP GOAL AFTER SKULL FRACTURE

Raúl Jiménez scored his first World Cup goal during Mexico's opening match against South Africa. The Mexican attacker wore a special protective headband during the fixture. Jiménez became visibly emotional during the second half of the match.

Jiménez missed nine months of football in 2020 following a severe skull fracture. His father died in March, prior to the World Cup. The attacker's return to competitive football represented a significant recovery from both the career-threatening injury and personal loss.

The goal marked a notable milestone in Jiménez's career trajectory. The 35-year-old's ability to return to World Cup football after such circumstances demonstrated his recovery from the head injury sustained years earlier. Mexico faced South Africa in their opening fixture of the tournament.