Mexico Triumphs in World Cup Opener; Ronaldo’s Final Shot at Glory

The 2026 FIFA World Cup began with excitement on Thursday as Mexico faced South Africa. El Tri celebrated a thrilling 2-0 victory at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Julian Quinones scored the tournament’s first goal only nine minutes in, giving Mexico an early lead. Raul Jimenez sealed the match with a second goal in the 67th minute.

As Mexico fans rejoiced and other teams prepared for their debuts, attention shifted to one of the tournament favorites, Portugal. ESPN analyst Ryan O’Hanlon highlighted a stat that casts doubt on Portugal’s chances. No player over the age of 40 has ever secured a World Cup win. Cristiano Ronaldo turned 41 this February. The oldest player to ever win was Dino Zoff, who clinched the trophy at 40 years old in 1982.

Despite this, Ronaldo is preparing for his sixth World Cup, a feat unmatched in history. Although he’s yet to win a World Cup, his career has been defined by defying expectations. This past year, Ronaldo surpassed 970 career goals, setting a record. He also scored 28 goals and provided two assists in 30 matches for Al Nassr.

Ronaldo remains Portugal’s top scorer with 143 international goals. In 2025, he contributed five goals during World Cup Qualifying. Observers note this might be Portugal’s strongest squad in recent memory, with stars like Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Rafael Leao, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, and Bernardo Silva alongside Ronaldo.

Portugal faces Group K opponents starting with DR Congo on June 17 in Houston, followed by Uzbekistan on June 23, and Colombia on June 27 in Miami. This heavily talented team aims to overcome historical challenges.