Mexico secures perfect group stage with win over Czechia at Estadio Azteca

By Rohan Gupta — 25 June 2026 — 3 min read

Mexico’s Dominant Performance

Mexico concluded a flawless group stage campaign at the World Cup 2026, defeating Czechia 3-0 at Estadio Azteca. The co-hosts had already guaranteed their spot at the top of Group A following earlier victories against South Africa and South Korea. This win marks the first time Mexico has won all three of its group matches in a World Cup tournament.

The match was crucial for Czechia, who had only secured one point from their initial two games and needed a positive outcome to maintain their tournament aspirations. However, Mexico proved too strong, extending their unbeaten World Cup record at Estadio Azteca, where they have won six and drawn two matches across the 1970, 1986, and 2026 tournaments.

Despite being out-shot by Czechia 11 to 13, Mexico demonstrated greater efficiency, registering five shots on target compared to Czechia’s one. This translated into an expected goals (xG) total of 1.9 for Mexico against 0.5 for Czechia, reflecting the quality of their scoring opportunities. While Czechia held more possession, Mexico’s superior field tilt of 60 percent and more effective pressing ultimately led to their decisive victory.

Key Moments and Player Milestones

The first half of the match saw both teams playing cautiously, with few significant moments. However, Mexico intensified their attack in the second half, leading to a surge in goal threats. The co-hosts broke the deadlock with Mateo Chávez’s first international goal. The AZ Alkmaar fullback skillfully navigated the Czechia defense and evaded tackles before delivering a composed finish.

Later in the game, Julián Quiñones capitalized on a defensive lapse by Czechia, cleaning up a blocked initial attempt after Jorge Sánchez made a penetrating run down the left flank. The final goal came late in the match, with Álvaro Fidalgo finishing off a broken play. Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa’s long ball initiated the sequence, and he celebrated the assist as if he had scored himself.

A significant moment occurred in the 78th minute when Guillermo Ochoa, the iconic goalkeeper, entered the game for his sixth World Cup appearance. The 40-year-old, currently playing for AEL Limassol, replaced Raul Rangel, marking his 153rd international appearance for Mexico. The crowd at Estadio Azteca erupted in cheers for the veteran, who was also part of the 2006 and 2010 squads as a backup.

During the match, Czechia’s Tomáš Souček sustained a non-contact injury in the 85th minute while attempting to close down Ochoa, requiring trainers to attend to him on the field. Pavel Nedvěd, Czechia legend and sporting director, was visibly displeased with his team’s performance.

Group A Outcomes and Future Prospects

In the other Group A fixture, South Africa secured a 1-0 victory over South Korea, a result that was sufficient to propel them into the knockout round. This achievement is particularly noteworthy for South Africa, especially after a challenging opening game. South Korea, on the other hand, will have to await results to see if they qualify as one of the top eight third-placed teams.

Mexico’s perfect group stage performance ensures their progression to the knockout stages, having not conceded a single goal throughout their group matches. The team’s strong showing has been met with enthusiastic support from their home crowd at Estadio Azteca. Guillermo Ochoa has reportedly announced his retirement after this tournament, making his appearance against Czechia a memorable one.

Source: theguardian.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter