MEXICO CITY — Mexico defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 in their final Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, completing a perfect group-stage campaign and eliminating the Czech side from the tournament, according to FIFA match reports and media coverage.
Second-half goals from Mateo Chávez, Julián Quiñones and Álvaro Fidalgo secured the victory for the co-host nation at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The result gave Mexico three wins from three group matches and ensured the team advanced to the knockout stage as Group A winner. The Czech Republic finished the group with one point and was eliminated.
The match remained scoreless at halftime before Chávez broke the deadlock in the 55th minute. Quiñones doubled Mexico’s lead six minutes later after a defensive breakdown by the Czech team. Fidalgo added a third goal deep into stoppage time to complete the scoring.
Mexico had already secured first place in the group before kickoff but made several changes to its starting lineup. Seventeen-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora started the match and became the youngest World Cup starter since 2002, according to Reuters. The Czech Republic, needing a positive result to maintain its hopes of progressing, left leading striker Patrik Schick on the bench.
Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa also made an appearance late in the match. The 40-year-old received a warm reception from supporters and became one of a small group of players to appear in six World Cups, according to match reports.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre has repeatedly emphasized team unity during the tournament. After the match, he said the squad’s collective approach had been central to its performances, according to comments reported by the Associated Press. “The key to this team is that we are a family,” Aguirre said.
For the Czech Republic, the defeat ended a difficult tournament. The team scored only a limited number of goals across its three group matches and was unable to generate sustained attacking pressure against Mexico. Reuters reported that the Czech side finished at the bottom of Group A.
Mexico also completed the group stage without conceding a goal, becoming one of the tournament’s strongest defensive teams through the opening round. Reuters reported that the victory was Mexico’s largest World Cup win since 1970 and extended the team’s unbeaten World Cup run at Azteca Stadium.
With the group stage concluded, Mexico will advance to the Round of 32 and await its next opponent. The Czech Republic’s World Cup campaign has ended.
