Mexico crush Czechia 3–0, finish perfect in Group A

KATHMANDU: Mexico have completed a flawless group-stage campaign at the FIFA World Cup 2026, securing a 3–0 victory over Czechia in their final Group A match and finishing with a perfect record.

Already through to the Round of 32 as co-hosts, Mexico confirmed top spot in the group with another dominant display at the Mexico City Stadium.

Goals from Mateo Chávez, Julián Quiñones, and Álvaro Fidalgo sealed a comprehensive win, while Czechia’s World Cup journey ended at the group stage.

Despite Mexico having already secured qualification, Czechia entered the match needing a win to keep their knockout hopes alive. They started aggressively, creating early pressure. In the 8th minute, Denis Vizinisky came close, but his shot narrowly missed the target.

Czechia continued to create chances in the first half but failed to convert, leaving the match level at the break.

Mexico, however, took control after halftime. Chávez broke the deadlock in the 55th minute with a sharp finish after slicing through the defensive line, sending the home crowd into celebration. Just six minutes later, Quiñones doubled the lead with a close-range strike, effectively ending Czechia’s hopes of a comeback.

With 12 minutes remaining, coach Javier Aguirre introduced veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who made history by appearing in his sixth World Cup edition—an extremely rare achievement in the tournament’s history.

In stoppage time, Álvaro Fidalgo added a third goal in the 94th minute to complete a commanding 3–0 victory.

The result means Mexico finish Group A with nine points from three matches, sitting top of the group. South Africa secured second place with four points after a 1–0 win over South Korea. South Korea ended with three points in third place, while Czechia finished bottom with one point.

This marks the first time in World Cup history that Mexico have won all three group-stage matches. It is also their first clean-sheet group stage run since 1970. Mateo Chávez was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.

Mexico midfielder Obed Vargas said the coach had urged the team to play with confidence and express themselves as they do at club level, adding that representing the nation in a home World Cup could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Forward Guillermo Martínez emphasized the team’s mindset, saying they aim to stay calm, humble, and hardworking, and that they are not satisfied yet despite their strong start.