Javier Aguirre Stays Grounded As Mexico Complete Perfect World Cup Group Stage

Mexico finished top of Group A with nine points after a 3-0 win over Czechia at the Estadio Azteca.
Javier Aguirre praised his players’ mentality while dismissing personal praise after reaching another World Cup milestone.
The victory became Mexico’s second-biggest winning margin in World Cup history.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre insisted he remains focused on improvement despite guiding El Tri to a perfect group-stage record at the 2026 World Cup after a 3-0 victory over Czechia secured top spot in Group A on Wednesday.

The win moved Mexico onto nine points from three matches and guaranteed a return to the Estadio Azteca for a round-of-32 tie on June 30. Backed by a crowd of 80,824, Mexico maintained their unbeaten World Cup record at the famous stadium and strengthened belief that they can make a deep run on home soil.

Aguirre, now in his third spell as Mexico coach, brushed aside suggestions that the achievement represented a significant personal milestone.

“I think that you learn from your mistakes. I’ve made many mistakes throughout my career, and I will certainly make many more in what remains of it, because you never stop learning. But I am very serene, and I am also very mature,” Aguirre said.

Although Mexico completed the group stage with maximum points, the campaign has not been straightforward. El Tri needed a second-half winner from Luis Romo to edge past South Korea and were forced to remain patient against Czechia before eventually breaking the deadlock after halftime.

Aguirre admitted he was unhappy with his team’s start against the Czechs before they settled into the contest.

“I would say this was a good night for us, but I did not like the first few minutes of the match. You see that the Czech team approached our goal and they attempted a shot, but then we adjusted and were able to score.”

Mexico’s supporters have remained demanding throughout the tournament, with boos heard during hydration breaks despite the team’s unbeaten record. Aguirre said handling that pressure is part of representing the national team.

“You know the fans are very demanding, and players have to stand tall and they cannot lose their concentration. They just have to keep their cool and their emotional balance; they shouldn’t be too proud when people are cheering for them, or discouraged when people are booing them,” he said.

The veteran coach also praised the influence of assistant coach Rafa Márquez, describing the former Mexico captain as a key figure within a united coaching staff.

“[Márquez and my staff] help me very, very much. These are people that I love dearly, and we are just so united. We have had hurdles, and there will be bad times as well, but we will be standing together,” Aguirre said.

Mexico’s victory over Czechia also entered the record books. The 3-0 scoreline represents the second-largest winning margin in the country’s World Cup history, surpassed only by the 4-0 victory over El Salvador at the 1970 tournament.

With a perfect group-stage record secured and momentum building, Mexico will now wait to discover their round-of-32 opponents as Aguirre attempts to guide El Tri beyond the early knockout rounds on home soil.

WRITTEN BY

Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.