MEXICO CITY — After the final whistle blew in Mexico’s 3-0 World Cup win over the Czech Republic on Wednesday night, Memo Ochoa walked up to the right goal post, kissed it, and made his way to the left.
Substitute goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo was the first to greet the national symbol on the pitch, and the pair embraced for a moment before joining further. As the Estadio Azteca crowd continued to sing Vicente Fernández’s “El Rey” and other teammates approached Ochoa from midfield in applause, Ochoa eventually fell to his knees, either in prayer, emotion, or a combination of both.
The team gathered together again for a hug and began tossing Ochoa into the air.
Everything went according to plan.
Javier Aguirre Ball withstood a desperate Czech national team’s attacking start in the first and second halves, despite very audible complaints from the Estadio Azteca crowd over their conservative style of play.
However, that turned around in the second half. Two quick goals from Mateo Chavez and Julián Quiñones gave El Tri a comfortable lead. The goal was big enough to give one of this country’s all-time legends a moment.
Memo Ochoa answered the serenading of the cheerful home fans in the 78th minute. Before taking the post, he took a moment to hug his team-mates and blow kisses in the stands, showing mutual gratitude to the fans who have been with him through all six World Cups, four of which have resulted in playing time.
Ochoa said on Telemundo’s postgame broadcast, “I think this is the most beautiful thing. That’s what you receive, beautiful memories, gratitude. I hope that when the years go by, the fans remember positive things about me.” Match. “At the end of the day, my head is high and I feel empty having given everything to my country, but I am happy that we have entered the next phase and I want to go further.”
The last 12-odd minutes at El Coloso de Santa Ursula were as festive as the opening ceremony, and Álvaro Fidalgo put an end to it with another goal in stoppage time.
Fidalgo put Mexico’s exclamation point with a goal from the top of the box, giving Mexico a 3-0 lead in stoppage time.
Legendary Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was playing in his sixth World Cup, coming on in the 78th minute to replace starting keeper Raul Rangel. The crowd at Estadio Azteca went wild.
Ochoa will be the seventh player over the age of 40 to play in this year’s World Cup.
➤ Oldest player at the 2026 World Cup
The iconic Mexican goalkeeper is coming off a hydration break and is loosening up off the bench. Now, with a 2-0 lead in a late rubber, it looks like Ochoa is poised for a golden moment.
Alvarez hit the Czech Republic’s Adam Frozek at the feet, earning the 28-year-old Mexican defender a warning.
- Guillermo Martinez OUT, Santiago Jimenez IN
- Luis Romo OUT, Obed Vargas IN
Quiñones, the hero of the season opener, will return to replace El Tri.
Jorge Sánchez came forward on the counter, but was tripped by Kovar, but the ball bounced off Sánchez’s back, who was still on the ground, and landed in front of Quiñones, who effortlessly tucked the ball in for his second goal of the World Cup.
The smell of freshly spilled beer filled the air at Estadio Azteca as fans began singing Quiñones’ name.
Luis Romo received the ball in midfield and successfully evaded the Czech defense until he found 22-year-old Mateo Chavez, who was running free on the right, and lobbed him. Chavez scored the first goal in the 55th minute, running into the box past another defender and chipping the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Mexico leads 1-0.
Narochak continued his advance against Mexico with his first shot on target in the third minute of the first half.
This was the second consecutive game for El Tri, who were booed off the pitch by their own fans at the end of the first half.
Mexico were on the defensive from the opening whistle, while the Czech Republic gave their all, needing a win to survive. He dictates the pace early on and lives in Mexico’s half of the field. Naroark got six touches inside the 18-yard box and took six shots, but four of them were missed and the other two were blocked before they reached the keeper.
El Tri started to regain their form late in the second half, most notably Jorge Sanchez’s shot on target in the 39th minute. However, in the final minutes before the whistle, several foul calls slowed the pace considerably, halting Mexico’s momentum and further angering the home crowd.
The Estadio Azteca crowd did not hesitate to express their growing displeasure at the referee’s imbalance towards the end of the first half. When the Czech Republic took their second free kick with just a few minutes remaining, the fans booed loudly and shouted “Clero” at the referee.
In the 39th minute, Sanchez received a pass on the right side of the box and fired a shot towards the near post, but Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar deflected it away.
Mexico is revitalized on offense.
El Tri hasn’t attacked much over the last 35 minutes. There have been some threatening moments, but none of them have turned into real opportunities yet. According to FotMob, this is actually the longest the Czech Republic has gone without allowing a shot in a World Cup match (since 1966).
El Tri was dragged in by Robin Franerts 30 yards short and Guillermo Martinez won the set piece. Free kicks are easily cleared by the defense.
El Tri regained time of possession, but this did not stop the Czechs from pressing when they gained possession. In the first 15 minutes they had four touches in the box and four shots, none of which came close.
Naroark is playing live at the World Cup, and every inch of it shows its sense of urgency.
Naroark now held the ball for most of the first eight minutes and almost got first blood, but Denis Bysinsky’s shot went just wide of the left goal post.
Although Ochoa was not named to the starting lineup as much had speculated, the 40-year-old icon took part in a meaningful gesture for his teammate and successor.
Ochoa and Rangel took to the pitch side by side for warm-ups, throwing their arms around each other’s shoulders as the raucous Estadio Azteca crowd roared their approval.
Today’s Mexico lineup
Czech lineup today
Kovash – Kufal, Horesh, Franacs, Krajci, Dudera – Cerv, Sadirek – Hrožek, Schulz, Wyszyński
What time does Czech Republic vs. Mexico start?
The matchup will kick off at 9pm ET.
Where will the Czech vs. Mexico match take place?
Group A matches will be held at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Czech vs Mexico highlights
The game is being broadcast on Fox, but you can also watch it on the Fubo or Fox One apps. Spanish-language broadcasts are available on Telemundo and Peacock.
Watch every World Cup match on Fubo
Czech vs Mexico expert predictions
Seth Terny: Czech Republic 1-2 Mexico
It’s hard to know what to expect from what is supposed to be Mexico’s backup team, but given the home crowd and altitude it should be enough to ensure a third straight win.
john arnold: Czech Republic 0-2 Mexico
Even with a replacement group, Mexico will be emboldened by the Aztecs’ return and easily overtake the Czechs.
Jesse Yomtov: Czech Republic 0-2 Mexico
El Tri finished with 9 out of 9 points and will move towards another win at Azteca.
victoria hernandez: Czech Republic 1-2 Mexico
Mexico has already qualified for the round of 32, but this could be more of a sentimental tribute to legendary goaltender Memo Ochoa.
Czech vs Mexico live odds
2026 World Cup Team Complete Roster
world cup standings
Check out USA TODAY Sports’ live group standings, stats and latest standings here.
