Mexico finishes perfect group stage with win over Czech Republic

Mexico finished the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a convincing 3-0 victory over the Czech Republic at Estadio Azteca, thus completing a perfect group phase without conceding a goal. This triumph secured Mexico the top position in Group A, while the Czech Republic ended the stage in last place, accumulating only one point.

The match took place on June 25, 2026, where Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, aged 40, made his World Cup appearance, marking his presence in four different World Cup tournaments. Throughout the match, Mexico dominated the Czech side, with goals from M. Chávez (55'), J. Quiñones (61'), and Á. Fidalgo (90'+4').

In a notable turn of events, the match was marked by instances of a homophobic chant, a recurring issue in Mexican football history. Despite this, the atmosphere remained electric among the 80,824 fans in attendance.

As the group stage concluded, Mexico celebrated its first achievement of winning all three group matches in its World Cup history. This sets a promising tone for their upcoming matches in Mexico City, where they look ahead to the knockout stage, starting with a likely encounter against Scotland.

The Athletic's projection model indicated that Mexico had a 31% chance of facing Scotland in the Round of 32, scheduled for June 30. If they advance, potential opponents could include England in the Round of 16, a much-anticipated matchup since the teams last faced each other in the World Cup in 1966.

Fans expressed their excitement, creating a lively atmosphere. As the match progressed, the mood shifted from anxious cheers during the first half to jubilant celebrations following the quick succession of goals in the second half.

Gilberto Mora, at just 17 years old, became the youngest starter for Mexico in a World Cup match, and the oldest player, Ochoa, achieved another milestone at 40 years and 346 days.

Overall, this performance not only instills confidence but also enhances the fans' hope for the upcoming challenge in the knockout rounds of the tournament.