Key events<\/p>\n
Seeing Estadio Azteca (AKA Estadio Ciudad de Mexico) lit up and in great voice like this, it really drives home what a shame it is that it won\u2019t host any more World Cup<\/a> games after the Round of 16.<\/p>\n Such a gargantuan, iconic venue.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n OK readers, how do you think this one is going to go? Will Mexico keep the good momentum going? Will Czechia<\/a> do enough to progress? You can send me an email using that handy link up there at the top.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Here come the anthems! Expect Mexico\u2019s to be rousing as usual. It\u2019s among my favorites in international football.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A reminder of the stakes in El Tri\u2019s final game before the knockout round\u2026<\/p>\n Mexico are through as group winners and will face a third-placed team from Group C, E, F, H or I.<\/p>\n Czechia would progress to the Round of 32 in second if they beat Mexico, and South Africa beat South Korea.<\/p>\n Czechia can still qualify from third place, but that remains to be seen.<\/p>\n Confused yet? So am I. This breakdown helped.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I am writing this to you from beautiful sunny Los Angeles, California, where unsurprisingly there are a LOT of Mexico<\/a> jerseys out and about. And there\u2019s your local color for the night.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Team news<\/p>\n With a place in the knockout stages guaranteed, Mexico<\/a> have made four changes. Gilberto Mora, who is around 13-years-old gets the start, but promises be home in time to tidy his room and do his homework.<\/p>\n Mexico: Raul Rangel, \u2060Jorge Sanchez, Cesar Montes, Edson Alvarez, Israel Reyes, \u200bMateo \u200bChavez, Luis Romo, Gilberto \u200bMora, Julian Quinones, Guillermo Martinez, Roberto Alvarado.<\/p>\n Czechia: Matej \u200cKovar, Tomas \u200bHoles, Robin \u200bHranac, Vladimir Coufal, Ladislav Krejci, David Doudera, Lukas Cerv, Michal Sadilek, Adam Hlozek, Pavel Sulc, Denis Visinsky.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n More Merlin news! It appears the faceless officials at Fifa have ruined his dreams of World Cup<\/a> glory. This from AP:<\/p>\n Merl\u00edn was granted access to the Azteca Stadium grounds to film a segment with Televisa, one of Latin America\u2019s largest television networks. Under strict security protocols, Merl\u00edn traveled comfortably inside a transport crate, accompanied by owner Carla G\u00f3mez and her son Cristian, as curious fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the tournament\u2019s most unexpected star. However, he could not remain for the match, as Fifa regulations prohibit animals from entering venues in order to safeguard their well-being.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Of course, the biggest Mexican news of the tournament has happened already. The team could go out in the last-32 and the important targets would still have been achieved:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Czechia face a tough route to reach the next round \u2013 they need a win today and for other results to go their way. But they\u2019ll always have a claim on a piece of footballing history:<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n Brazil have sealed their place as group winners after beating Scotland<\/a> \u2013 Morocco finished second thanks to their win over Haiti<\/a>. That means El Tri would face a quarter-final with Brazil in Miami if both teams progress to the quarter-finals. Mexico will play their last-32 game in Mexico City after guaranteeing their place at the top of the group with their win over South Korea. If they win their last-32 game they\u2019ll play their next match at the Azteca too \u2013 then any further games would take place in the US.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.35 EDT<\/p>\n Mexico have sealed their place in the next round, and the team is changing, along with the country. Raul Vilchis reports from Mexico<\/a> City:<\/p>\n In a March night in Guadalajara in 2024, Club Am\u00e9rica were winning El Cl\u00e1sico Nacional. Juli\u00e1n Qui\u00f1ones, their star player, had scored and headed toward the sideline. Then a shout at Qui\u00f1ones, who is Black, rang out from the stands. \u00a1Puto negro! A racial slur.<\/p>\n Moments later, monkey noises were heard in the stands. The scene was familiar to anyone who follows Mexican soccer. Cell phone videos captured<\/a> it. Commentators analyzed it the next day. Officials condemned<\/a> it. Investigations were announced. For a few days, the Mexican game went through its ritual of shock.<\/p>\n Then the season continued. Another match, another transfer rumor, another refereeing controversy. That June, Qui\u00f1ones moved to Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, where he would become the league\u2019s top scorer. The incident was lost in the vast archive of soccer\u2019s weekly dramas. Or so it seemed.<\/p>\n Less than two years later, another Mexican stadium produced another uproar. This time it was a celebration.<\/p>\n On 11 June, Qui\u00f1ones scored Mexico\u2019s first goal<\/a> in the 2026 World Cup, the opening triumph in a tournament played on home soil for the first time in four decades. Tens of thousands rose to their feet. Television commentators chanted his name. Images of the striker draped in the Mexican flag flooded social media. The same culture that had publicly denigrated him hailed him as a national hero.<\/p>\n You can read the full report below:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Alex will be here shortly. In the meantime, here\u2019s what\u2019s left to play for in the group:<\/p>\n Mexico are through as group winners and will face a third-placed team from Group C, E, F, H or I. South Korea could match their points total but Mexico<\/a> beat them so would be top on head-to-head.<\/p>\n South Korea would guarantee qualification with a win or draw against South Africa.<\/p>\n Czechia would progress in second if they beat Mexico, South Africa beat South Korea and they ultimately finish above South Africa. Should they win and finish third they may have a route.<\/p>\n South Africa progress in second if they beat South Korea and ultimately finish above Czechia. Should the win and finish third they may have a route.<\/p>\n You can read more about the permutations at the World Cup<\/a> here:<\/p>\n