Mexico, already assured of top spot in Group A, beat the Czech Republic 3-0 in their final group match. In the parallel game, South Africa defeated South Korea 1-0 to finish second and will face Canada in the round of 32. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Group A, Matchday 3, June 25, Mexico City, Estadio Azteca

⚽ CZECH REPUBLIC – MEXICO 0:3 (0:0). Goals: Chavez 55 (0:1), Quiñones 61 (0:2), Fidalgo 90+4 (0:3)

Group A, Matchday 3, June 25, Monterrey, BBVA Stadium

⚽ SOUTH AFRICA – SOUTH KOREA 1:0 (1:0). Goal: Maseko 63

The scenarios for the final Group A matches were simple. The Czechs needed to beat Mexico, while South Africa needed to defeat South Korea. A draw would have been enough for the Asian side. Mexico, already group winners, had nothing to play for except the joy of the fans at a packed Azteca.

The first goal took nearly an hour of playing time. In the 55th minute in Mexico City, Guadalajara midfielder Luis Romo sent Luis Chavez on a run down the right flank. The Dynamo Moscow player left the defender behind, went one-on-one with PSV goalkeeper Matej Kovar, and opened the scoring.

Having found the way to the Czech goal, the Mexicans did not stop. In the 61st minute, again from the right flank, the second goal came. Julián Quiñones, who plays for Saudi club Al-Qadsiah when not with the national team, finished off the move – 2-0.

Minutes later, a goal came in Monterrey. Cypriot AEL striker Tshepo Maseko, beating Borussia Mönchengladbach's Korean-German Jens Castrop, put South Africa ahead – 1-0.

The final goal of the evening came in Mexico City. In stoppage time, Real Betis midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo scored – 3-0.

Mexico's opponent in the first knockout round will be determined later; it will be one of the third-placed teams. South Africa will face Canada on June 28 in Los Angeles. This is the first known round of 32 pairing.

Tonight, the tournaments in two other groups also concluded. Switzerland, beating Canada, advanced as Group B winners. The hosts finished second. As will be determined later, they will meet South Africa. Bosnia and Herzegovina, who beat Qatar, have a good chance of reaching the round of 32.

Brazil, thrashing Scotland, finished ahead of Morocco, who beat Haiti, in Group C. In the round of 32, the five-time champions will play the second-placed team from Group F (Netherlands, Japan, or Sweden). Morocco will face the Group F winners. As for Scotland, their playoff prospects with three points and a negative goal difference are very dim.

The 23rd World Cup finals started on June 11 and will end on July 19. The tournament is being held in three countries for the first time – the USA, Canada, and Mexico – and features 48 teams for the first time.

After the group stage, the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams will advance. The knockout stage begins with the round of 32.