Mexico Maintain Perfect Record as 3-0 Win Eliminates Czechia

Co-hosts Mexico completed a perfect group stage with a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic in Mexico City on on Thursday morning, finishing Group A with three wins from three games. 

Goals from Mateo Chavez, Julian Quinones and Alvaro Fidalgo did the damage, all coming after the break, as the Czechs were eliminated from the tournament having collected just one point from their three games.

With top spot already secured before kick-off, Mexico boss Javier Aguirre took the opportunity to rotate his squad, handing five players their first starts of the tournament. Two of those fringe players played key roles in the victory.

Left-back Chavez showed composure to finish a quick counter-attack just after half time, set up by good work from Luis Romo. Quinones then added a second six minutes later after his initial effort was blocked by goalkeeper Matej Kovar and the ball rebounded off defender Jorge Sanchez before he poked it home from close range.

The standout performer among the fresh faces was 17-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora, who supplied the pass that led to the second goal and impressed throughout his 72 minutes on the pitch. At 17 years and 253 days, he became the sixth-youngest player in history to start a men's World Cup match and the youngest ever for Mexico. 

He received a rousing ovation from the Azteca Stadium crowd when he was substituted, with his replacement Fidalgo capping the night by lashing a loose ball into the top corner from 15 yards in stoppage time after Kovar had denied Santiago Jimenez.

One of the loudest cheers of the night came when 40-year-old goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was brought on as a late substitute, making his fourth World Cup appearance. Ochoa is in his sixth World Cup squad, matching Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, though he was an unused member in 2006 and 2010.

The first half had little to offer. Mexico overplayed in possession and did not manage a shot until the 36th minute when Israel Reyes tried an overhead kick from the edge of the box that flew wide. The Czech Republic rarely threatened either, with Denis Visinsky's early effort flashing wide their best chance of the opening period.

Mexico will now play one of the eight best third-placed teams in Mexico City on July 1. The Czech Republic go home bottom of Group A