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Mexico closed with a perfect group stage: three victories, six goals scored, and none conceded, accumulating 9 points to lead the group with authority. This Wednesday, the final matchday confirmed the definitive standings of the table.
The two simultaneous matches of matchday three took place at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey. Mexico thrashed 3-0 against Czech Republic at the Azteca, while South Africa defeated 1-0 South Korea in Monterrey, thereby securing all the spots in the group.
The decisive moment of the match came in the 62nd minute at the BBVA, when Thapelo Maseko appeared in the center of the area and scored with his left foot on a counterattack, securing the only goal of the game. That goal dashed South Korea's hopes of finishing second and ensured the second place for the Bafana Bafana. Maseko was substituted by Iqraam Rayners just a minute after scoring.
With the results of this matchday, the standings are as follows: Mexico in first place with 9 points, South Africa in second with 4, South Korea in third with 3, and the Czech Republic in last with 1.
Czech Republic was eliminated from the tournament after earning only one draw in three matches and conceding six goals. Their sole point came on the second matchday, when they drew 1-1 against South Africa at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
South Korea, despite its two defeats, currently advances as thanks to the 48-team format of the 2026 World Cup, which allows the advancement of the eight best third-placed teams from the group stage. The Asians will have to wait for the conclusion of all the groups to confirm their qualification and find out their opponent in the round of 16.
Mexico had mathematically secured its qualification as early as the second matchday, on June 18, becoming the first team to qualify for the tournament. The team led by Javier Aguirre also broke a historic streak in this phase, achieving its first victory in seven World Cup opening matches by defeating South Africa 2-0 in the first match.
In the round of 16 matchups, South Africa will face Canada — the second place team from Group B — on Sunday, June 28, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, marking the first encounter between the two national teams in a World Cup. Mexico, on the other hand, will play on June 30 at Estadio Azteca against the best third-placed team from Groups C, E, F, H, or I, an opponent that will be determined once the group stage concludes.
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