Mexico finish the group with 100% record as Czechs sent home

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Mexico finish the group with 100% record as Czechs sent home

Mexico finish the group with 100% record as Czechs sent home

Thu, Jun 25, 2026 ·

3 min read

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It was a night of beautiful emotions and memories for the Mexican fans. In a packed Azteca, the already-qualified Mexico team gave another gift to its people and with another confident performance to defeat Czechia 3-0.

With their place guaranteed in the World Cup knockout stages, the Mexican team saved energy in the first half and did not display the usual intensity. On the other side, Czechia, playing for survival, adopted a more aggressive stance and tried to attack the home team.

Indeed, Denis Visinský came close early on with a crossed shot and knocked the paint off the post.

The pressure from the Czechs, however, faded over time and La Tri began to balance the actions, although without major offensive constructions. It's no surprise that Mexico's most striking appearance in the first half only came in the 39th minute, when Jorge Sánchez invaded the area from the right, released a bomb and stopped in a good save from Matej Kovár.

After the break the scenario was completely different. Pushed by their fans, the Mexican team was more aggressive and opened the scoring after just ten minutes, when Mateo Chávez received it from Luis Romo , shot from the right and put his side in the lead.

The Mexican goal upset Czechia, who lost concentration and let their guard down. With just over an hour gone after a beautiful pass from teenager Gilberto Mora , Jorge Sánchez found himself forward, counted on his luck, and managed to deflect the ball to Julián Quiñones , who put it into the empty goal.

With the victory underway, coach Javier Aguirre provoked one of the most exciting moments of the night. In the 78th minute, Guillermo Ochoa , in his 40s and at his sixth World Cup, was called on to replace José Rangel, which may have marked his official farewell for the goalkeeper.

In addition to entering and moving the entire stadium, which applauded the goalkeeper, Ochoa also made his contribution to the Mexican victory. In the final stretch, the shot-stopper took a goal kick that led to the final goal of the match. Roberto Alvarado received it, shot down the right and took advantage of a rebound in the area to serve substitute Álvaro Fidalgo, who completed the Mexican victory: 3-0.

With the result, the Mexican team recorded their third victory in three games and became the first team outside of Europe and South America to finish a group stage of the World Cup with 100% success.