SOCCER: Coach Aguirre praises Mexico's character in overcoming Czechs 3-0

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre praised his team's mentality on Wednesday after they upped the tempo in the second half to secure a 3-0 victory against the Czech Republic in their final Group A match of the World Cup.

Reuters

June 25, 2026

SOCCER: Coach Aguirre praises Mexico's character in overcoming Czechs 3-0

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group A - Czech Republic v Mexico - Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico - June 24, 2026 Mexico coach Javier Aguirre gives instructions to Mexico's Santiago Gimenez before he comes on as a substitute

Annegret Hilse/Reuters

With the victory, Mexico advance to the knockout phase as group winners.

"I didn't like the first 20 minutes, but then we settled down, the team recovered, and that's where we showed the power of mental strength," he said at a press conference.
The Mexican coach, who led the side at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, said that while the performance was good "we always have a few things to work on".
Aguirre, 67, said his team's mentality is essential to keep progressing at the World Cup, where they will look to move beyond the quarter-finals for the first time.
"I think we've improved in that area, that mentality of 'Well, that's it, we've done our part.' This group has character," he said.

-Reporting by Diego Oré; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters