Perfect Mexico make history: co-hosts sweep Group A as Ochoa ties the World Cup record

Mexico became the first Mexican side to win all three group games, beating Czechia 3-0 at the Azteca to finish Group A on a perfect nine points. Substitute Guillermo Ochoa appeared at a record-tying sixth World Cup, while the Czech Republic were eliminated.

Mexico saved their most complete performance for last. A 3-0 win over the Czech Republic at a roaring Estadio Azteca made them the first Mexican side in history to sweep the group stage, nine points from nine, and it came on a night one of their greats wrote his own piece of history.

Guillermo Ochoa was the story even from the bench. On seventy-seven minutes the 40-year-old came on to a deafening ovation, appearing at a sixth different World Cup and tying the all-time record. For a goalkeeper who has carried Mexican hopes for twenty years, it was a fitting milestone on home soil.

The football took a while to catch fire. The first half stayed goalless, the co-hosts patient against a stubborn Czech side that defended in numbers. After the break, Mexico cut loose.

Mateo Chávez broke the deadlock on fifty-five minutes, racing clear and finishing a breakaway with composure for his first international goal, a moment the young full-back will never forget.

Six minutes later it was two. Julián Quiñones poked home a deflected ball after a sustained spell of Mexican pressure, and the Azteca was rocking.

There was still time for a flourish. Deep in stoppage time substitute Álvaro Fidalgo curled a gorgeous strike into the top-left corner, the icing on a perfect group stage.

Mexico march into the knockouts as the team to beat in Group A, with maximum points and momentum, after earlier wins over South Korea and South Africa. For the Czech Republic it is over, eliminated at the bottom of the group with a single point, a disappointing campaign for a side that promised more.

For Kenya, Ochoa is the draw. The man has been a World Cup fixture since 2006, and watching him roll back the years one more time was a treat for any neutral. Memo Ochoa, jembe la zamani bado linakata: Memo Ochoa, the old hand still does the job. Mexico are box office at the best of times, and a perfect Azteca night under the lights had everything. Our CONCACAF round-one verdict leaned on the co-hosts' home advantage, and Mexico have made it count.