Mexico enters Round of 32 on a high after 3-0 win over Czechia<\/p>\n
Jonathan Wilson\u2019s report from Estadio Ciudad de Mexico<\/a> is here:<\/p>\n There are ways of leaving a tournament. You can go out with a sheen of glory, having gone to-to-toe with a great opponent. You can be unlucky and go home raging at referees and the fates. You can self-immolate in a blaze of red cards or own goals or spectacular errors. Or you can slink away without leaving a trace \u2013 and that was the path followed by Czechia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n That\u2019s all for me, folks! Thanks for following along.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Mexico enters Round of 32 on a high after 3-0 win over Czechia<\/p>\n Jonathan Wilson\u2019s report from Estadio Ciudad de Mexico<\/a> is here:<\/p>\n There are ways of leaving a tournament. You can go out with a sheen of glory, having gone to-to-toe with a great opponent. You can be unlucky and go home raging at referees and the fates. You can self-immolate in a blaze of red cards or own goals or spectacular errors. Or you can slink away without leaving a trace \u2013 and that was the path followed by Czechia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Mexico, Spain, and Argentina are the only teams at the World Cup<\/a> that have yet to concede a goal.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n What side in this World Cup<\/a> is feeling more momentum than Mexico right now? It could be the United States, with a similar result against Turkey tomorrow.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n And in the other game, South Africa hang on to earn a 1-0 win over South Korea. That will be enough to see them through to the knockout round \u2013 an incredible feat after their disastrous opening game.<\/p>\n The final Group A table:<\/p>\n 1. Mexico<\/a> (9 pts, +6 GD)<\/p>\n 2. South Africa (4 pts, -1 GD)<\/p>\n 3. South Korea (3 pts, -1 GD)<\/p>\n 4. Czech Republic (1 pt, -4 GD)<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The Mexican team celebrates in front of fans, with every player going to Guillermo Ochoa and congratulating the 40-year-old on his 154th international appearance – probably his last in the Mexico<\/a> shirt before his retirement.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Full time! Mexico 3-0 Czechia<\/p>\n The co-hosts started the night on top of Group A, and they finish it in the same position \u2026 but with a good heap of momentum and positive vibes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n That is Fidalgo\u2019s first international goal<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Goal! Mexico 3-0 Czechia (Fidalgo 90+4′)<\/p>\n Mexico has put the icing on the cake! \u00c1lvaro Fidalgo finishes off a broken play and Guillermo Ochoa, whose long ball set up the play, celebrates as if he got the assist. Amazing moment.<\/p>\n Alvaro Fidalgo with the icing on the cake. Mexico have been sensational. Photograph: Alfredo Estrella\/AFP\/Getty Images Photograph: Ryan Pierse\/FIFA\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.59 EDT<\/p>\n 90+2 min: It\u2019s a training exercise on the field, and a fiesta off of it. Players are just trying audacious things, and mostly failing.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n We have six minutes of added time.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 89 min: The crowd starting \u201cole\u201ding Mexican possession in the fourth minute, and we\u2019re right back there again at the end of this game. A comprehensive win for the co-hosts, with lots of reasons to celebrate.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sou\u010dek needs to be helped off the field and he lies down as soon as he makes it over the line. He\u2019s coming out of the game for Alexandr Sojka.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 85 min: Worrying news for Czechia<\/a> (and perhaps West Ham) \u2013 Tom\u00e1\u0161 Sou\u010dek goes down with a non-contact injury while closing down Ochoa. The trainers are on the field.<\/p>\n This doesn\u2019t look good for Tom\u00e1\u0161 Sou\u010dek . Photograph: H\u00e9ctor Vivas\/FIFA\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.48 EDT<\/p>\n 83 min: The Czechs keep making an effort to surge forward, trying to manufacture even the scrap of a chance, and it just never, ever goes anywhere.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 82 min: Seemingly all 80,000 at the Azteca are singing Guillermo Ocha\u2019s name. The end of this game is just a sideshow.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n finger to earpiece I\u2019m being told that Guillermo Ochoa has already announced his retirement after this tournament. Still wouldn\u2019t rule him out for 2030!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 79 min: Goalkeepers have longevity! I wouldn\u2019t rule out Ochoa for World Cup<\/a> No 7, personally.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 77 min: Yep, Guillermo Ocha has the warmups off and he\u2019s coming on in place of Rangel. The crowd at Estadio Azteca is going wild for the legend. What an awesome moment.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 74 min: Oh boy, Guillermo Ochoa is warming up. This would be the perfect situation to bring on the goalkeeper for an appearance in his SIXTH World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n Guillermo Ochoa is about the come on for Mexico! Photograph: Silvia Izquierdo\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.39 EDT<\/p>\n A couple subs that I missed!<\/p>\n For Mexico:<\/p>\n Obed Vargas, Santiago Gim\u00e9nez, and \u00c1lvaro Fidalgo are on for Guillermo Mart\u00ednez, Luis Romo, and Gilberto Mora.<\/p>\n And for Czechia:<\/p>\n Tom\u00e1\u0161 Hole\u0161, Denis Vi\u0161insk\u00fd, and Adam Hlo\u017eek exit in favor of Patrik Schick, Luk\u00e1\u0161 Provod, and Tom\u00e1\u0161 Sou\u010dek.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Pavel Nedv\u011bd, Cezchia legend and now sporting director for the program, is shown on the broadcast and he looks profoundly unhappy. They made Nedv\u011bd unhappy and that makes me sad.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Hydration break! Make sure to grab your beverage of choice. Let\u2019s see if Czechia<\/a> can make this interesting.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 67 min: Meanwhile, in this game, Czechia<\/a> is pushing to get a goal and make things somewhat interesting but every service in the box is either off target or really off target.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n In other Group A news: South Africa have taken the lead against South Korea in the other game! It\u2019s 1-0.<\/p>\n That result, if it holds, would put South Africa into the Round of 32, and keep South Korea waiting to see if they are one of the top eight third-placed sides.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Czechia were once again beaten down their left-hand side. Jorge S\u00e1nchez made a marauding run forward, was kept onside by a poorly positioned Czech defense, and Juli\u00e1n Qui\u00f1ones cleaned up the mess after the initial attempt was blocked.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Goal! Mexico 2-0 Czechia (Qui\u00f1ones 61′)<\/p>\n Mexico have doubled their lead! It wasn\u2019t the prettiest goal but it\u2019ll do for the home side.<\/p>\n Game over? Julian Quinones scores the second for Mexico. Photograph: Pedro Nunes\/Reuters Photograph: Henry Romero\/Reuters Photograph: Alfredo Estrella\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.27 EDT<\/p>\n 58 min: Czechia have woken up a bit now, and rightfully so: This result would see them eliminated from the World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n That\u2019s Mateo Ch\u00e1vez\u2019s first international goal, and what a time to get it. The AZ Alkmaar fullback did well to race through the Czech defense and evade some attempted tackles, and the finishing touch was cool and well-applied.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Goal! Mexico 1-0 Czechia (Ch\u00e1vez 54′)<\/p>\n We have a breakthrough! The home side takes the lead on a breakaway finish!<\/p>\n Mateo Chavez scores a fantastic opener for Mexico! Photograph: Pedro Nunes\/Reuters Updated at\u00a022.21 EDT<\/p>\n 54 min: Czechia earns a corner after a well-defended set piece. Rangel flaps at it but nobody can take advantage.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 53 min: Mexico has been probing the Czechia<\/a> backline with long balls from the back, most of which have been cut out easily. But they\u2019ve had the most joy when the ball has recycled and they try playing through the midfield.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 52 min: A potential chance! Luis Romo gets to a ball in the box and fires a lofted service across the face of goal, but nobody is there to greet it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 46 min: Tom\u00e1\u0161 Hole\u0161 goes down after a clash of heads in the box, he exits but it looks like he\u2019ll play on.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Second half has begun!<\/p>\n The sides get under way with no changes for either side.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Reader Craig writes in\u2026<\/p>\n I for one am relieved that Mexico<\/a> have opted for white jerseys. I was just watching a replay of an old Chicago Fire v Seattle Sounders match where Chicago was in their traditional red and Seattle in their traditional green, and in wide angle shots it was like watching a team of 22 players in identical jerseys. I far prefer being able to identify the different teams as I\u2019m watching. Gracias, EL TRI!<\/p>\n At least one person is happy watching this!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n OK let\u2019s try this: Rank your favorite ducks.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n And we don\u2019t even have Merl\u00edn the duck in the building?!<\/p>\n Fifa\u2019s gone too far this time.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n So, uh, anybody have any strong thoughts on that first half? Not a lot of big moments, both sides weirdly cagey. I hope someone reminds Czechia<\/a> in the locker room that they need to win.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n According to FotMob, the combined xG in this game is 0.46. Seems high!<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Half-time!<\/p>\n The score is still 0-0, and only the most minor of scoring chances have presented themselves for either side.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45 min+: Juli\u00e1n Qui\u00f1ones has had it with this \u201cmoving the ball around\u201d BS. He blasts an effort at goal, but it goes over the bar.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45 min: We have a stoppage here for a player down off the ball. Hard to see exactly what caused it, some sort of collision, but he\u2019s back up and they\u2019re playing on.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 44 min: A dangerous Czech free kick \u2026 and it\u2019s entirely unthreatening.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 42 min: Juli\u00e1n Qui\u00f1ones gets possession in a dangerous area but he\u2019s left on the ground with a challenge. No call, then Czechia<\/a> earns a foul at midfield. The crowd is riled up, moreso than they have been up to this point.<\/p>\n
\n Photograph: Henry Romero\/Reuters Photograph: Lars Baron\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n