42 min: Julián Quiñones gets possession in a dangerous area but he’s left on the ground with a challenge. No call, then Czechia earns a foul at midfield. The crowd is riled up, moreso than they have been up to this point.

39 min: A nice give-and-go between Gilberto Mora and Roberto Alvarado ends with an effort blasted comically high by Alvarado.

37 min: A bicycle kick! Israel Reyes goes acrobatic on a service that Czechia failed to clear, but his effort goes wide. That might have livened things up. Alas…

32 min: A cross looks for the forehead of Adam Hložek, but it’s way too tall.

30 min: The pace of the game has certainly slowed down quite a bit. Both sides struggling a bit to create chances.

27 min: It’s Denis Višinský again! A beautiful pirouette in the box opens a tiny shooting window, but his effort is deflected. He’s been the best player on the field so far for Czechia.

26 min: The players are hydrated, and we are back under way.

So far, Mexcio and Czechia are about even on chances. I’d have thought we’d see a bit more desire from Czechia given how badly they need a win, but maybe that’s still to come.

23 min: Mexico set up to take a freekick, but not yet! It’s hydration break time.

Everyone get hydrated!

19 min: Another injury stoppage, with Michal Sadílek sent to the turf after taking a hand (or was it an arm?) to the face.

14 min: Denis Višinský has a go from long range, but it sails high and wide. Czechia looking lively to start, feels like a goal could easily be coming if they keep this up…

Reader Justin writes in…

I’m sorry Alex, but the reason FIFA gave for kicking Merlin the duck out of the Azteca just doesn’t fly. Methinks that the suits were too busy feathering their own nest to take the time to play host to one of the tournament’s biggest stars. Still, it’s probably water off Merlin’s back to be shunned by such peacocks.

The quality of our reader emails is in full flight already!

10min: Wow, a big chance for Mexico. Edson Álvarez wins the ball, Romo has a window to shoot, but he puts it out wide and the move comes to nothing.

8 min: An early chance for Czechia! A deflected ball falls kindly for Denis Višinský, but his attempt on goal rolls agonizingly wide.

5 min: We have a short stoppage as Ladislav Krejčí looks to have suffered a head injury. He’s back up now and seems to be fine.

4 min: Are those “ole”s I’m hearing? In the fourth minute? A very confident Mexican crowd tonight (and rightfully so).

2 min: Mexico is wearing white tonight. They never look quite right to me when they’re wearing any color other than green at home. But I understand why they’re doing it – Czechia is wearing red, and red/green color blindness is a thing to account for.

Mexico is playing a rotated side, with five changes. Keep an eye on Gilberto Mora.

The 17-year-old has been hugely impressive in his early appearances for El Tri, and he gets the start today as they look to maintain momentum.

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’t host any more World Cup games after the Round of 16.

Such a gargantuan, iconic venue.

OK readers, how do you think this one is going to go? Will Mexico keep the good momentum going? Will Czechia do enough to progress? You can send me an email using that handy link up there at the top.

Here come the anthems! Expect Mexico’s to be rousing as usual. It’s among my favorites in international football.

A reminder of the stakes in El Tri’s final game before the knockout round…

Mexico are through as group winners and will face a third-placed team from Group C, E, F, H or I.

Czechia would progress to the Round of 32 in second if they beat Mexico, and South Africa beat South Korea.

Czechia can still qualify from third place, but that remains to be seen.

Confused yet? So am I. This breakdown helped.

I am writing this to you from beautiful sunny Los Angeles, California, where unsurprisingly there are a LOT of Mexico jerseys out and about. And there’s your local color for the night.

More Merlin news! It appears the faceless officials at Fifa have ruined his dreams of World Cup glory. This from AP:

Merlín was granted access to the Azteca Stadium grounds to film a segment with Televisa, one of Latin America’s largest television networks. Under strict security protocols, Merlín traveled comfortably inside a transport crate, accompanied by owner Carla Gómez and her son Cristian, as curious fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the tournament’s 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.

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:

Czechia face a tough route to reach the next round – they need a win today and for other results to go their way. But they’ll always have a claim on a piece of footballing history:

Mexico have sealed their place in the next round, and the team is changing, along with the country. Raul Vilchis reports from Mexico City:

In a March night in Guadalajara in 2024, Club América were winning El Clásico Nacional. Julián Quiñones, their star player, had scored and headed toward the sideline. Then a shout at Quiñones, who is Black, rang out from the stands. ¡Puto negro! A racial slur.

Moments later, monkey noises were heard in the stands. The scene was familiar to anyone who follows Mexican soccer. Cell phone videos captured it. Commentators analyzed it the next day. Officials condemned it. Investigations were announced. For a few days, the Mexican game went through its ritual of shock.

Then the season continued. Another match, another transfer rumor, another refereeing controversy. That June, Quiñones moved to Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, where he would become the league’s top scorer. The incident was lost in the vast archive of soccer’s weekly dramas. Or so it seemed.

Less than two years later, another Mexican stadium produced another uproar. This time it was a celebration.

On 11 June, Quiñones scored Mexico’s first goal 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.

You can read the full report below:

Alex will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s what’s left to play for in the group:

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 beat them so would be top on head-to-head.

South Korea would guarantee qualification with a win or draw against South Africa.

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.

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.

You can read more about the permutations at the World Cup here: