Czechia v Mexico · OurXI

★ The storyline

Mexico are up and running

Mexico got the job done, 3–0 against Czechia in the group stage. A good day at the office for ours — exactly the start you want, and the kind of result that makes the next one feel lighter.

TalismanDeveloping

Mexico put Czechia to the sword

Mexico 3, Czechia 0. A clean sheet and a comfortable win in the group stage — no fuss, no scare, exactly the sort of statement that puts a marker down for the rest of the field.

Why it matters

Ours are out — Mexico have a job to do in Group A.

Who to watch

Talisman

Tomas Soucek

Czechia

The experienced engine in midfield around whom the whole side is organised.

★ Ours · Talisman

Raúl Jiménez

Mexico

The focal point up top — Mexico's hopes lean on his presence in the box.

Developing

Czechia are out at the group stage

That's that, then. Czechia are out at the group stage — the maths finally caught up. A disappointing end, but there'll be stories to tell and lessons to take from it.

Developing

Mexico are through to the last 32

Mexico are into the last 32. Job done in the group, and now the tournament really begins — one-and-done from here, every match a final.

Developing

Mexico bow out

And there it ends. Mexico fall to England, and a summer of following them is over. It stings now — but what a ride it was, and there's no shame in going out swinging.

Developing

Mexico bow out

And there it ends. Mexico fall to England 3–2 in the last 16, and a summer of following them is over. It stings now — but what a ride it was, and there's no shame in going out swinging.