Mexico beat Czechia 3-0 on 25 June, sealing progress at the 2026 finals. The result made it three wins from three in Group A, the first time Mexico have won all their group games at a World Cup
Mexico beat Czechia 3-0 on 25 June, sealing progress at the 2026 finals. The result made it three wins from three in Group A, the first time Mexico have won all their group games at a World Cup
Mexico controlled the contest and broke through after the break. Mateo Chávez opened the scoring in the 55th minute, Julián Quiñones doubled the lead in the 61st, and Álvaro Fidalgo wrapped it up in second-half stoppage time.
With his side two goals clear, Javier Aguirre turned a routine win into an occasion, replacing Raúl Rangel with Guillermo Ochoa to hand the 40-year-old goalkeeper minutes at his sixth World Cup.
Aguirre admitted the substitution mattered more to him than the result. "The moment Guillermo Ochoa stepped onto the pitch, it overshadowed everything else," he told TV Azteca. "He is a world-class legend, and I am incredibly proud of him."
Ochoa was mobbed by teammates on the pitch. "It was even better than I dreamed; everything just fell into place," he said. "At the beginning, you are always fighting to get on the pitch. Javier makes the decisions, and this time it was my turn to support from the sidelines."
Ochoa has now featured at six World Cups, after squads in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026. He has 153 caps. In a statement shared by FIFA he confirmed he will retire from football once the tournament ends. "I gave everything, left my entire being on the field," he said. "I am at peace, I leave with my head held high."
Mexico move into the Round of 32 with their opponent due to be settled on Friday. Rangel is expected to return in goal for the knockout tie, with Ochoa once more in support from the bench.
