Mexico maintained their perfect run in the World Cup group stage with a dominant 3-0 win over the Czech Republic on Wednesday, sealing first place in Group A and ending their opponents’ hopes of advancing.
Although already qualified for the last 32 as group winners, the co-hosts delivered another strong performance in front of their home crowd in Mexico City. The win marked their third straight victory, while the Czech Republic finished bottom of the group and were eliminated.
The match remained goalless for most of the first half, with the Czech side creating the better early chances. Mexico struggled to test the opposition goalkeeper until a late first-half effort that failed to trouble the scoreline.
The game changed after the break when Mexico stepped up their attacking play. Mateo Chavez opened the scoring after 55 minutes, finishing calmly after a well-timed pass from Luis Romo.
Six minutes later, 17-year-old Gilberto Mora played a key role in the second goal, dribbling into space and setting up Jorge Sanchez. After a scramble in the box, Julian Quinones was quick to react and tapped in his second goal of the tournament.
Mexico sealed the victory in stoppage time when Alvaro Fidalgo struck a powerful shot into the top corner from outside the box.
The win keeps Mexico unbeaten in the group stage, while they will next face a third-placed team from Group C, E, F, H, or I in the knockout round on June 30 in Mexico City. Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa also made a late appearance, earning his 154th international cap in his sixth World Cup.
