FIFA World Cup: Mexico will play their final Group A match with the comfort of knowing their place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage is already secured, while Czechia arrive in Mexico City facing a win-or-bust scenario on Thursday.
The co-hosts have made an ideal start to their campaign, collecting maximum points from their first two outings to seal top spot in the group with a match to spare. Victories over South Africa and South Korea have ensured Javier Aguirre's men cannot be caught, allowing them to approach the contest without the pressure that accompanies a qualification battle.
That luxury does not extend to Czechia. With only one point from two matches, the Europeans find themselves in a precarious position after letting valuable leads slip away against both South Korea and South Africa. Those missed opportunities have left Miroslav Koubek's side with little room for error heading into the final round of group fixtures.
