Wolves players shine on World Cup's opening night

An emotional Raul Jimenez scored his first World Cup goal as co-hosts Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over South Africa.

The 35-year-old striker, who this week re-joined Wolves, was left in tears after heading home his country’s second goal at the Azteca Stadium.

Jimenez’s strike was arguably the biggest moment of his career and a hugely poignant moment for a player who suffered a life-threatening skull fracture when playing for Wolves against Arsenal in November, 2020.

Thursday night was the first time he had started a World Cup match after six previous substitute appearances and the goal, his 46th for Mexico, moved him up to second on the country’s all-time scorers list.

Added emotion came from the fact it came just three months after the death of his father, Raul Jimenez Vega.

Jimenez pointed to the sky during the celebrations, seemingly in tribute.

"We really congratulated him because he gives a lot to the team,” said Julian Quinones, scorer of Mexico’s opening goal.

“Being part of a team is our pride and it's wonderful he continues to add goals to his career as a player in our national team."

Later in the day another Wolves player, Ladislav Krejci, was on the mark for Czech Republic in their opening Group A fixture against South Korea.

Krejci headed home Vladimir Coufal’s long throw to open the scoring just before the hour mark.

But the night ended in disappointment as the Koreans netted twice to win the match 2-1.

Krejci’s Wolves team-mate Hwang Hee-chan came off the bench for Korea in the 62nd minute.