Two of the first three goals scored at this summer’s World Cup came from Wolves players as both Raul Jimenez and Ladislav Krejci found the back of the net on the opening day of competition.
Despite appearing at his fourth World Cup, Jimenez was making his first start for Mexico as the co-hosts got the tournament underway with their tie against South Africa at the Azteca Stadium.
While Czech Republic captain Krejci was going head-to-head with Wolves teammate Hee Chan Hwang’s South Korea.
Here’s how the Old Gold players and their teams fared as the 2026 World Cup got underway in Mexico.
Raul Jimenez | Mexico 2-0 South Africa
Kicking off the World Cup in his own country, it was a day to remember for Jimenez who marked his first ever World Cup start with his debut goal in the greatest football show on earth.
Leading the line for El Tri, Jimenez – who re-signed for the Old Gold just two days before the start of this summer’s competition having spent the last three seasons with Fulham – was key to his country tasting victory on home soil.
The hosts took the lead on nine minutes through Julian Quinones, and following the first of three red cards in the contest, the most incredible moment of the Mexican’s career arrived with just over 20 minutes of the match remaining.
Latching onto Roberto Alverado’s curling cross, Jimenez ghosted in unmarked at the far post to find the net with a trademark headed effort, putting the result beyond doubt and giving Mexico the perfect start to their World Cup campaign as they sit top of Group A.
Jimenez emotions after scoring showed just what the goal meant to him, as he paid tribute to his late father, Raul senior, with his celebration, following his dad's passing three months ago.
Next up for Jimenez will see him reunite with his old Molineux strike partner Hwang as Mexico face South Korea at 2am next Friday (19th June).
Ladislav Krejci & Hee Chan Hwang | South Korea 2-1 Czech Republic
It was the battle of Wolves teammates in Guadalajara as the second game of the World Cup got underway in the early hours of Friday morning, with Krejci’s Czechia and Hwang’s South Korea looking to get off to a winning start.
Although Hwang started from the bench, Krejci was leading his country out at their first World Cup appearance in 20 years, and it was the Czech Republic skipper who opened the scoring in the Group A contest.
Following a goalless first-half in which South Korea dominated but were kept out by a brilliant defensive display by Krejci, the Wolves defender headed his side into the lead from a long throw that was launched into the box by Vladimir Coufal and Krejci was on hand to nod past the keeper from close range.
Hwang came off the bench a few minutes later and helped his country turn the game on its head, as his namesake Hwang In-Beom equalised on 67 minutes. Although Czechia thought they had gone back in front from Tomas Soucek’s header, VAR intervened for offside, allowing Korea to go straight up the other end and found the winner through Oh Hyeon-Gyu.
It’s the battle of the two winning teams in Group A next week as Mexico take on South Korea, while Krejci will be hoping Czech Republic can get their first win of the World Cup this summer when they face South Africa at 5pm on Thursday (18th June).
Coming up
Wolves fans are going to have to wait until the early hours of Sunday (14th June) morning for their next Old Gold representative to take to the field, with Jean-Ricner Bellegarde preparing to make his World Cup bow for Haiti against Scotland in Boston (2am kick-off).
Santi Bueno’s Uruguay face Saudi Arabia at 11pm on Monday (15th June), while David Moller Wolfe and Norway will get their first World Cup since 1998 underway against Iraq at 11pm on Tuesday (16th June)
Sasa Kalajdzic’s Austria and Jose Sa’s Portugal will be in action for the first time on Wednesday (17th June), with Austra taking on Jordan at 5am and a Portuguese side also featuring seven former Wolves players facing DR Congo at 6pm.
