7M - Czech Republic 0-3 Mexico: Perfect El Tri make World Cup history to cruise into knockouts

Co-hosts Mexico marched into the World Cup Round of 32 in flawless fashion, brushing aside the Czech Republic 3-0 at a roaring Estadio Azteca to maintain their 100% record in the tournament.

Javier Aguirre’s men put on a clinic in front of their home fans, securing top spot in Group A and making history by winning all three of their World Cup group stage matches for the very first time.

The party atmosphere in Mexico City kicked into overdrive in the 22nd minute. Feyenoord marksman Santiago Gimenez showed his predatory instincts, latching onto a precise through-ball into the penalty area before calmly stroking a low finish past the despairing Czech goalkeeper to break the deadlock.

El Tri continued to dominate proceedings after the interval, and the second goal arrived inside the hour mark courtesy of a piece of individual brilliance. Replicating his famous dead-ball heroics, midfield maestro Luis Chavez stepped up and curled a trademark, unstoppable 25-yard free-kick into the top corner, leaving the Czech backline completely stranded.

With the visitors forced to push forward in search of a lifeline, Mexico exploited the gaps on the counter-attack. The rout was completed fifteen minutes from time when second-half substitute Cesar "Chino" Huerta cut inside his marker from the left flank and drove a powerful effort into the bottom mesh to wrap up a statement victory.

The stats paint a picture of total dominance for the host nation, who head into the knockout rounds having scored seven goals and conceding none across their three opening fixtures. While Mexico and runners-up South Africa progress from Group A, the heavily deflated Czech Republic finish third and exit the tournament at the first hurdle.