Mexico have won all three FIFA World Cup group games while South Africa overcomes grueling heat and South Korea to book their World Cup last 32.
El Tri have turned Estadio Azteca into an absolute fortress. Under the guidance of Javier Aguirre, Mexico coasted into the World Cup Round of 32 on Thursday, dismantling the Czech Republic 3-0 to secure maximum points from Group A – a flawless three-for-three group stage record achieved for the first time in their history.
Santiago Gimenez initiated the celebrations in the 22nd minute, latching onto a defense-splitting pass to slide a clinical finish into the bottom corner. The hosts completely choked out the Czech midfield, doubling their advantage before the hour mark when Luis Chavez produced an absolute masterclass of a free-kick, bending a 25-yard strike into the top corner. Substitute Cesar Huerta rounded out the emphatic display fifteen minutes from time, cutting inside from the left flank to smash home a low finish. Mexico marches into the knockouts with seven goals scored and zero conceded.
Meanwhile, in Monterrey, South Africa conjured a monumental tactical triumph to join the hosts in the next round. Hugo Broos’ side defied 34-degree heat and history itself, defeating South Korea 1-0 to secure Bafana Bafana’s first-ever senior competitive win over the Taegeuk Warriors.
The decisive blow landed in the 63rd minute when emerging talent Thapelo Maseko kept his head to fire past Kim Seung-gyu. A prolonged VAR check followed, but the goal stood. South Korea threw everything forward, introducing an under-the-weather Son Heung-min from the bench, but South African anchored a resolute backline through a tense finale.
The narrow victory snaps a seven-match winless streak for South Africa, sending them through alongside Mexico, while South Korea and the Czechs face a premature flight home.