Mexico completed a perfect group-stage campaign at the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating Czechia 3-0 at the Mexico City Stadium on 25 June to finish top of Group A with three wins from three matches. Goals from Mateo Chavez, Julian Quinones, and Alvaro Fidalgo sealed a dominant victory, while the night was crowned by a landmark appearance for veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

Historic Milestone for El Tri

This is the first time Mexico have won all three group-stage matches at a FIFA World Cup. It is also the first time since 1970 that the co-hosts have kept clean sheets across all three group-stage fixtures — a defensive record that underlines their credentials as serious contenders heading into the knockout rounds.

Czechia, who needed a positive result to stand any chance of progressing, saw their campaign end at the group stage. The defeat confirmed their elimination, with the co-hosts advancing to the Round of 32 as Group A winners.

How the Goals Came

Czechia started the brighter of the two sides, with Denis Visinsky particularly lively in the early exchanges — his low drive in the eighth minute narrowly missed the post. Mexico, however, gradually asserted their authority.

Mateo Chavez broke the deadlock, latching onto a Raul Jimenez pass, driving past a Czechia challenge, and slotting home to ignite the Mexico City Stadium. Just six minutes later, Jorge Sanchez was played through but denied by goalkeeper Matej Kovar; a poor Czechia clearance then fell to Julian Quinones, who doubled the lead from close range.

Ten minutes into the second half, Chavez used his pace to break behind the defence and calmly slotted home again, before Quinones added a fourth goal — poking home from close range — to make it 2-0. Then in stoppage time, Alvaro Fidalgo rifled the ball into the top-left corner after Santiago Gimenez's effort was kept out by Kovar, completing the 3-0 scoreline.

Ochoa's 153rd Cap Steals the Spotlight

With 12 minutes remaining, legendary goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa — appearing at his sixth FIFA World Cup — was brought on to earn his 153rd cap for Mexico, sending the home crowd into raptures. The moment was widely regarded as one of the most emotional of the tournament so far.

Speaking after the match, Ochoa said: 'I really think the most important thing is staying calm. The group has that mindset, along with humility. Above all, we're a very hard-working team. We're not satisfied with what we've done so far, and that's because we set these goals for ourselves. We're taking it step by step, one match at a time. Right now, the next game is the most important one for us, and we hope to prepare in the best possible way to put in a good performance.'

What Comes Next

Mexico now advance to the Round of 32 as Group A toppers, carrying momentum, confidence, and a watertight defence into the knockout stage. Their next opponents and fixture date are yet to be confirmed. For Czechia, the exit marks a disappointing end to their World Cup campaign after failing to find the wins needed to progress.