Mexico City, Jun 25 (V7N)- Co-hosts Mexico secured a place in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over the Czech Republic, completing a perfect group-stage campaign for the first time in their World Cup history.
Playing in front of their home supporters at the iconic Estadio Azteca on Thursday (June 25), Mexico finished top of Group A with a maximum nine points from three matches.
After a goalless first half, Mexico finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute through 22-year-old Mateo Chávez, who scored in his debut World Cup campaign. The goal lifted the hosts and shifted the momentum firmly in their favor.
Just six minutes later, Julián Quiñones doubled Mexico's advantage with a clinical finish, putting the Czech Republic under further pressure.
Mexico sealed the victory in stoppage time when Álvaro Fidalgo found the back of the net to make it 3-0 and complete an impressive performance by El Tri.
The victory marked a new milestone for Mexico, surpassing their previous best World Cup group-stage performances. Their earlier records came in the 1986 and 2002 tournaments, when they finished the group stage with two wins and one draw.
The match also witnessed two notable individual achievements. Seventeen-year-old Gilberto Mora became the youngest player ever to start a World Cup match for Mexico. Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa came on as a substitute in the 77th minute and achieved the remarkable feat of appearing in six FIFA World Cups.
With the achievement, Ochoa joined an elite group of football legends that includes Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Czech Republic, meanwhile, finished their campaign at the bottom of the group with just one point and were eliminated from the tournament.
Mexico will now await the outcome of other groups to learn their opponents in the Round of 32 as they continue their quest for a historic World Cup run.
END/SMA/AJ
