19 min: Another pause in play as Michal Sadílek hits the ground after receiving a hand to the face.
14 min: Denis Višinský attempts a long-range shot, but it flies over the target. Czechia has started energetically, and it feels like a goal could come soon if they maintain this momentum.
Reader Justin shares his thoughts.
“I’m sorry Alex, but the reasoning FIFA provided for excluding Merlin the duck from Azteca doesn’t hold up. It seems to me the officials were more focused on their own interests rather than hosting one of the tournament’s notable figures. Nevertheless, for Merlin, it’s probably just a trivial matter to be overlooked by such pretentious individuals.”
The quality of our reader emails is soaring already!
10 min: What a significant opportunity for Mexico! Edson Álvarez secures the ball, and Luis Romo has a chance to shoot, but he sends it wide, leaving the chance unfulfilled.
8 min: An early opportunity for Czechia! A deflected pass lands favorably for Denis Višinský, yet his shot narrowly misses the target.
5 min: Play is briefly halted as Ladislav Krejčí appears to have a head injury. He quickly recovers and seems fine.
4 min: Are those “ole”s I hear? In the fourth minute? The Mexican crowd is confident tonight (and rightly so).
2 min: Mexico is sporting white uniforms tonight. They never seem quite right to me unless they’re in green at home. However, I understand the choice—Czechia is in red, and red/green color blindness is a factor to consider.
1 min: And we are underway!
Mexico has fielded a rotated lineup with five changes. Watch out for Gilberto Mora.
The 17-year-old has been outstanding in his early appearances for El Tri, and he gets the nod today as they aim to keep their momentum strong.
Seeing Estadio Azteca (also known as Estadio Ciudad de Mexico) lit up and full of energy is a vivid reminder of the disappointment that it will not host any further World Cup matches after the Round of 16.
Such an iconic venue.
Alright readers, how do you predict this match will unfold? Will Mexico maintain their strong form? Can Czechia do enough to advance? Feel free to send me your thoughts using the link above.
The anthems are about to begin! Expect Mexico’s to be as stirring as always; it’s one of my favorites in international football.
A reminder of the stakes in El Tri’s final game before the knockout rounds:
Mexico has secured their spot as group winners and will face a third-placed team from Group C, E, F, H, or I.
Czechia can advance to the Round of 32 in second place if they defeat Mexico and South Africa defeats South Korea.
Czechia still has a chance to qualify from third place, but that remains to be seen.
Confusing, right? I feel the same. This breakdown was helpful.
I’m writing this from sunny Los Angeles, California, where it’s no surprise to see many Mexico jerseys out and about. That’s your local color for the evening.
With a spot in the knockout stages guaranteed, Mexico has made four changes. Gilberto Mora, who is only 17, starts today, but he’ll be home in time to tidy his room and finish his homework.
Mexico’s lineup: Raul Rangel, Jorge Sanchez, Cesar Montes, Edson Alvarez, Israel Reyes, Mateo Chavez, Luis Romo, Gilberto Mora, Julian Quinones, Guillermo Martinez, Roberto Alvarado.
Czechia’s lineup: Matej Kovar, Tomas Holes, Robin Hranac, Vladimir Coufal, Ladislav Krejci, David Doudera, Lukas Cerv, Michal Sadilek, Adam Hlozek, Pavel Sulc, Denis Visinsky.
In more news about Merlin! It appears the faceless officials at FIFA have dashed his dreams of World Cup glory. According to reports:
Merlin was granted access to the Azteca Stadium grounds to film a segment with Televisa, one of Latin America’s major television networks. Under strict security measures, Merlin traveled comfortably in a transport crate with owner Carla Gómez and her son Cristian, while curious fans gathered to glimpse the tournament’s most unexpected star. However, he was not allowed to stay for the match, as FIFA regulations prohibit animals from entering venues to protect their well-being.
Of course, the most significant Mexican news of the tournament has already occurred. The team could exit in the Round of 32, but key objectives would still have been met:
Czechia faces a challenging path to advance—they need a victory today and favorable outcomes in other matches. Yet they will always have a claim to a piece of football history:
Brazil has secured its position as group winners after defeating Scotland—Morocco finished second due to their victory over Haiti. This means El Tri could potentially face Brazil in Miami if both teams advance to the quarter-finals. Mexico will play their last-32 match in Mexico City after clinching their top position in the group with their win over South Korea. If they win their last-32 encounter, they’ll play again at the Azteca, with any subsequent matches taking place in the US.
Mexico has guaranteed its place in the next round, and the team is evolving, just as the nation is. Raul Vilchis reports from Mexico City:
On a March night in Guadalajara in 2024, Club América was triumphing in El Clásico Nacional. Julián Quiñones, their star player, had scored and was heading toward the sidelines. Suddenly, a shout directed at Quiñones, who is Black, erupted from the stands. ¡Puto negro! A racial insult.
Moments later, monkey sounds echoed from the crowd. The scene was all too familiar to anyone who follows Mexican soccer. Mobile phone videos captured the moment. Commentators analyzed it the following day. Officials condemned the act. Investigations were announced. For a few days, Mexican soccer went through its routine of shock.
Then the season resumed. Another match, another transfer rumor, another refereeing controversy. That June, Quiñones transferred to Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, where he would become the league’s top scorer. The incident faded into the vast archive of soccer’s weekly dramas. Or so it seemed.
Less than two years later, another uproar erupted in a Mexican stadium. This time, it was a celebration.
On June 11, Quiñones scored Mexico’s first goal in the 2026 World Cup, a triumphant opening in a tournament hosted on home soil for the first time in four decades. Tens of thousands stood and cheered. Television commentators shouted his name. Images of the striker wrapped in the Mexican flag flooded social media. The same culture that had once publicly insulted him now celebrated him as a national hero.
You can read the complete report below:
Alex will be joining shortly. In the meantime, here’s what remains to be decided in the group:
Mexico is through as group winners and will face a third-placed team from Group C, E, F, H, or I. South Korea could equal their points total, but since Mexico defeated them, they would remain at the top based on head-to-head results.
South Korea would ensure qualification with a win or draw against South Africa.
Czechia can advance in second place if they defeat Mexico, South Africa defeats South Korea, and they ultimately finish above South Africa. If they win and end up third, they may still have a chance.
South Africa can move forward in second place if they defeat South Korea and ultimately finish ahead of Czechia. Should they win and finish third, they might still have a path.
You can find additional information about the World Cup permutations here:
- World Cup 2026
- World Cup
- Czechia
- Mexico
