Czech Republic 0-3 Mexico: Mora shines and Ochoa bows out as Mexico complete perfect group stage

The legendary Estadio Azteca hosted different memorable Mexican juncture connected Wednesday nighttime arsenic the co-hosts swept past the Czech Republic 3-0 to adjacent the radical signifier with a cleanable 9 points from nine, an accomplishment without precedent successful Mexico's World Cup history.

The effect confirmed what had already been secured — archetypal spot successful Group A and a comfy way into the past 32 — but the evening produced 2 moments that volition linger agelong successful the memory.

In the last minutes, 40-year-old goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was introduced from the seat to a thunderous Azteca ovation. The veteran, who played his nine shot for Limassol successful Cyprus past season, was making his sixth World Cup appearance, and with the tourney expected to people the extremity of his career, his little cameo carried the value of a farewell.

Earlier, astatine the different extremity of the acquisition spectrum, 17-year-old Gilberto Mora had caught the oculus throughout, becoming 1 of the evening's standout performers successful Mexico's 3rd successive group-stage win.

Czech Republic 0-3 Mexico: however the crippled unfolded

The opening play was tightly contested and physically intense. Both sides compressed abstraction and refused to easiness up successful the challenges, with Denis Visinsky — the astir progressive Czech subordinate of the archetypal fractional — driving into the country to trial goalkeeper Rangel earlier the break.

Mexico struggled to enforce their tempo. Neither Mora, the tournament's youngest player, nor Julian Quinones, 1 of their astir influential figures successful the competition, could earnestly occupation Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar contempt carrying the astir attacking intent from the location side.

The 2nd fractional told a wholly antithetic story. Within 15 minutes, Mexico's prime prevailed against a Czech broadside that offered small going forward.

On 54 minutes, Luis Romo produced a good midfield tally and recovered left-back Mateo Chavez, who slotted location past the advancing Kovar to interruption the deadlock. Six minutes later, the teenage Mora made his mark: the Tijuana starlet started the determination that ended with Quinones sweeping location his 2nd extremity of the tourney — having already scored successful Mexico's opening game.

In added time, substitute Alvaro Fidalgo wrapped up a counter-attack to adhd a third, triggering joyful scenes astatine the iconic Azteca arsenic the hosts completed a cleanable radical stage.

Czech Republic 0-3 Mexico: younker and acquisition clicking into gear

After a archetypal fractional successful which Mexico could not find their rhythm, the operation of youthful vigor and experienced composure proved the decisive factor.

Mora is the astir talked-about young endowment successful Mexican football, but Mateo Chavez, 22, of AZ Alkmaar, besides merits sizeable praise — the brace gave Mexico a dynamism and prime successful the attacking 3rd that had been missing successful the opening 45 minutes.

When those younger players needed support, they recovered it successful the prime of established names. Romo, an Chivas idol with erstwhile stints astatine Cruz Azul and Monterrey, provided the level with his influential midfield display, portion Quinones's oculus for extremity — sharpened by a prolific play successful Saudi Arabian shot — continued to carnivore fruit.

Beyond the attacking threat, determination is 1 much statistic worthy noting: Mexico person not conceded a azygous extremity successful their 3 group-stage matches.

What comes next?

Mexico advancement from Group A successful archetypal spot and await their round-of-32 opponent. The co-hosts volition instrumentality to the Estadio Azteca connected June 30 to look 1 of the 8 champion third-placed teams.

The Czech Republic, meanwhile, depart aft a disappointing campaign. Eliminated, the Czechs decorativeness bottommost of Group A with a azygous constituent from 3 games.