'Lucky break': Mexico rout Czech Republic 3-0, keeping South Korea's World Cup hopes alive

South Korea have escaped elimination from the group stage — for now. Mexico, who had already secured a round-of-32 berth with two wins, defeated Czech Republic on Thursday to knock the Czechs out of the tournament.

Mexico crushed Czech Republic 3-0 in their Group A finale at Mexico City Stadium on Thursday (Korean Standard Time).

Having already clinched first place and a round-of-32 berth, the result carried no stakes for Mexico. Had they fielded a weakened side, Czech Republic — who lost to South Korea 2-1 before drawing 1-1 with South Africa — could have dramatically claimed second place in the group.

Instead, Mexico swept through the group stage with three straight wins and nine points. Czech Republic's defeat dropped them to fourth. South Korea, despite losing to South Africa, held on to third place thanks to Mexico's victory, keeping their round-of-32 hopes alive.

South Africa, who beat South Korea 1-0, finished second with one win, one draw and one loss — four points — advancing through the group stage for the first time in history.

South Korea finished third with one win, two losses and three points, while Czech Republic were eliminated in last place with one draw, two losses and one point.

In this expanded 48-team World Cup, the top two finishers from each group advance automatically, along with the best eight of the 12 third-place teams across all groups, to make up the round of 32.

Czech Republic came out pressing early, needing a win to advance, but could not break through Mexico's defense. In the eighth minute, Denis Visinsky's powerful right-footed shot narrowly missed the target.

Visinsky tested Mexico's backline again in the 15th and 27th minutes but failed to convert either chance.

Czech Republic continued to threaten with aerial play from set pieces in the second half, but Mexico's attack proved sharper. In the 55th minute, Mateo Chavez broke past a defender, charged toward goal and slotted home with his left foot in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper to give Mexico the lead.

In the 61st minute, a clearance by Czech defender Tomas Holes deflected off Jorge Sanchez and fell to Julian Quiñones, who finished to double the lead.

Mexico then took firm control and sealed the win late. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Santiago Gimenez's shot was saved by the goalkeeper, but Alvaro Fidalgo followed up with a powerful right-footed strike to make it 3-0.