Czech out time: 3-0 win puts gloss on Mexico's perfect Group A campaign

MEXICO CITY — Mexico continued its perfect start to the World Cup with a 3-0 romp against a hapless Czech Republic on Wednesday, finishing its group-stage campaign with a flourish and killing off its tame opponent's hopes of making the knockouts.

The co-host had already booked its spot in the last 32 as Group A winner, but showed no mercy at the Azteca Stadium to complete a third straight victory that left the sorry Czechs bottom of the standings and out of the tournament.

The game looked to be drifting toward a drab draw before Mexico exploded in the second half, with Mateo Chavez opening the scoring, before Julian Quinones grabbed his second of the tournament and substitute Alvaro Fidalgo dealt the final blow in the dying seconds.

Mexico's reward for a faultless opening stage will be a knockout clash on Tuesday with a third-placed side from Group C, E, F, H or I, with the match again in front of its fans at the Azteca, where it is unbeaten in nine World Cup games.

"I think the team played a good game, honestly," Mexico's hard-to-please coach Javier Aguirre said.

"Ultimately, we always have a few things to work on, but tonight is a good night for everyone."

Mexico's superb start to the tournament has kindled the fires of hope in its fervent supporters that this team could be the one to end the supposed curse that has seen it fail to reach the quarterfinals since it last hosted the tournament in 1986.

The omens suddenly look auspicious — unbeaten in 11 games having sauntered through the group stage at a World Cup back on home soil, the hope is that this Mexico side could put years of turmoil and under-performance behind it.

The numbers are also starting to stack up. This was its biggest World Cup win since a 4-0 victory over El Salvador in 1970, while at the other end a rock-solid defense ensured it became the first team with three clean sheets in the group stage since Uruguay in 2018.

This apparent new dawn is perfectly symbolized by 17-year-old midfield prodigy Gilberto Mora, who is the youngest player to start in the tournament since 2002, and produced a superb display with his every touch loudly appreciated by the crowd.

"To be honest, I believed I could achieve it, but not this soon," he said when asked if he imagined reaching this stage so quickly. "Now that I'm here, I'm just trying to enjoy it, take it day by day and give my best whenever I'm on the pitch."

Sparking into life

With their fate riding on the outcome, the Czechs were predictably more eager in the opening exchanges, with Denis Visinsky snatching at an early effort when space opened up in front of him.

It took 35 minutes for Mexico to conjure a shot, and, when it did, centerback Israel Reyes drifted the ball harmlessly wide.

The game had all the hallmarks of a stalemate until the 55th minute, when Mexico sparked into life and found the breakthrough that brought the Azteca to its feet.

Luis Romo emerged with the ball in midfield and slipped a pass through to fullback Chavez who skipped past one challenge before calmly opening his body up to sidefoot his finish past goalkeeper Matej Kovar. The second goal six minutes later had Mora's fingerprints all over it, as the youngster dribbled deep into Czech territory before playing a delightful ball through to Jorge Sanchez.

He bundled his attempted finish over the keeper and after a brief scramble Quinones followed up to poke the ball home.

Probably the loudest cheer of the night arrived when 40-year-old substitute keeper Guillermo Ochoa came on. This is his sixth World Cup, although he didn't play a minute at the 2006 and 2010 editions, and is set to hang up his gloves after this one finishes.

Then came the final flourish, deep in stoppage time, when Fidalgo blasted the ball into the top corner from 18 meters to complete a resounding win for the co-host.

REUTERS