Benavidez vs Zurdo: A clash of Latin titans in Las Vegas

El Tricolor closes undefeated and without goals against

The Mexican National Team completed an impeccable group stage. With the 3-0 win over the Czech Republic, they added their third win and finished as the absolute leader. Javier Aguirre’s campaign prioritizes results over spectacle, and it works for him: 11 games without losing and zero goals conceded in the tournament.

The Mexico City Stadium vibrated with 80,824 spectators. The team arrived at the last duel with a guaranteed place in the second round, which allowed them to rotate players and give minutes to Memo Ochoa, a request from the fans.

The goals came in the second half: Mateo Chávez at 55, Julián Quiñones at 61 and Álvaro Fidalgo at 90+4. The victory was not brilliant, but it was overwhelming.

The night of Memo Ochoa

In the end, Ochoa was left alone in the area, leaning on the penalty spot. He cried for a few seconds until the entire team came to hug him. It was his night, a recognition of more than 20 years of experience.

Mexico achieved what it had never done before: win all its group stage matches. The streets of the capital, its squares and the Colossus of Santa Úrsula exude excitement. Good football is the least important thing; effectiveness rules.

South African victory in the Steel Giant

The South African team gave the surprise of the day by narrowly beating South Korea at the Monterrey stadium. The result shakes the sector and places the South Africans as second in Group A, led by Mexico.

The winning goal

After an intense but goalless first half, due to the defensive order of both teams, the African team broke the scoreless score in the second half. Taphelo Maseko drilled Kim Seung-gyu’s goal in the 63rd minute, unleashing euphoria in the stands.

Impact on the table

With this victory, “Bafana Bafana” add four points and move South Korea to third place, with three points. Furthermore, the combination of results sentenced the fate of the bloc: the Czech Republic was prematurely eliminated from the 2026 World Cup.

Tribute at the Colossus of Santa Úrsula

The Mexico City Stadium became a recognition platform for Guillermo Ochoa. The 39-year-old goalkeeper entered in the 77th minute of the friendly due to his possible last participation with the Mexican National Team. The fans broke out in a cheer that echoed in every corner of the building.

Coach Javier Aguirre had warned that the changes would be for performance, not courtesy. However, it determined Ochoa’s entry right after Julián Quiñones’ goal. Raúl Rangel gave up his place, and Edson Álvarez gave him the captain’s badge as a sign of respect.

In the 79th minute, the goalkeeper touched his first ball. The stands celebrated it as if it were a goal. The chants of “Oe, oe, oe, Memo, Memo” were heard without interruption. Ochoa raised his hands thanking the people for their affection.

With this appearance, the goalkeeper extended his record: he actively participated in his fourth World Cup, after starting in Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, and being on the bench in Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010. He thus completes six World Cups, a mark he shares only with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ochoa closes this cycle accompanied by the coaching staff, his teammates and a fan who considers him a symbol of Mexican soccer. His legacy remains intact.