Mexico cap perfect group stage with win over Czech

Mateo Chavez, Julian Quinones and Alvaro Fidalgo scored second-half goals as Mexico maintained its perfect record with a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic in their final Group A match on Thursday (Finnish time).

The co-host overcame a slow start to produce a dominant second-half display at Mexico City Stadium and finish the group stage with three wins from as many games.

The result dumped the Czech Republic, playing in its first World Cup since 2006, out of the tournament while Javier Aguirre's team will be afforded the luxury of a home round of 32 encounter.

"They surprised me and we struggled early with the way they set themselves up," Aguirre said in a television interview after the match. "But it was a question of settling down and once that happened we were able to put in a complete performance."

The Czech Republic produced the first clear opening when a deflected ball broke kindly for Denis Visinsky in the eighth minute. The winger struck low from inside the area, only to see his effort roll narrowly wide.

Mexico responded two minutes later after Edson Alvarez won possession high up the field. Luis Romo found space to shoot but directed his attempt away from goal and the chance went begging.

The Czech Republic continued to threaten, with Visinsky firing over from distance after 14 minutes before Michal Sadilek required treatment following a blow to the face.

Play paused midway through the half for a hydration break before the match settled into a slower rhythm. Both sides struggled to create openings, although Visinsky remained the Czech Republic's most dangerous outlet and forced another block after creating space for a shot inside the penalty area.

Mexico almost went ahead through Israel Reyes, whose acrobatic bicycle kick drifted wide after the Czech Republic failed to clear a delivery into the box. Roberto Alvarado then lifted an effort over the crossbar following a neat exchange with Gilberto Mora.

At the other end, a Czech free kick failed to trouble goalkeeper Raul Rangel, while Quinones fired over in stoppage time as the teams went into the interval level.

The Czech Republic resumed with greater urgency knowing only victory would keep its tournament alive, but Mexico struck first after 54 minutes. Chavez raced beyond the defense onto a through ball, stayed composed under pressure and finished low to score his first international goal.

The home side nearly added another immediately after when Romo's cross flashed across the penalty area without finding a teammate.

Mexico doubled its advantage seven minutes later after Jorge Sanchez broke free on the right flank. His initial attempt was blocked, but Quinones reacted first to fire in the rebound.

The Czech Republic pushed more players forward in search of a response. Crosses and deliveries into the box repeatedly failed to find their target, however, as Mexico controlled the closing stages and preserved its clean sheet.

Fidalgo put the result beyond doubt in the fourth minute of stoppage time, receiving Alvarado's pass before curling a shot into the top-left corner.