Introduced on for the final 12 minutes along with his workforce 2-0 up towards the Czech Republic
Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa poses with members of the family after the match. Picture: REUTERS
MEXICO CITY:
If Wednesday’s World Cup match marked the final time Guillermo Ochoa seems in Mexico colors, the 40-year-old goalkeeper couldn’t have wished for a greater send-off.
Introduced on for the final 12 minutes along with his workforce 2-0 up towards the Czech Republic and cruising into the knockout part as Group A winners, Ochoa lapped up the acclaim of followers on the Azteca stadium, the venue the place he made his senior debut with Membership America in 2004.
Making his sixth and ultimate look on the World Cup, Ochoa maintained the clear sheet started by Raul Rangel as Mexico scored once more late on to complete 3-0 winners.
Mexico will play on the Azteca within the spherical of 32 however barring a goalkeeping emergency he’s unlikely to get on the pitch.
The veteran keeper, immediately recognisable by his curls, was content material along with his position.
“My first sport, Azteca. My final sport, Azteca. It’s been a wonderful ultimate chapter of my profession,” he instructed Mexican TV.
“Thanks, everybody.”
Roared on by a crowd wearing inexperienced, white and purple, Mexico didn’t overwhelm the Czechs however have been worthy winners because of targets from Mateo Chavez, Julian Quinones and Alvaro Fidalgo.
The entire venue saluted Ochoa on the ultimate whistle, a correct present of respect for a participant whose flying saves and one-man acts of defiance grew to become a part of Mexican footballing folklore.
“He is an instance for all of us. He is the primary one within the fitness center and the final one to depart,” Chavez mentioned of Ochoa.
“That is the icing on the cake of a terrific profession. He is an idol for us, he is helped information the group along with his expertise, and I am very comfortable for him.”
For supporters, all the pieces has adopted the best script: a house World Cup, an ideal group run, and a legend strolling off with the chants of his title ringing in his ears.
They’re already daring to speak in regards to the prospect of a long-awaited return to the World Cup quarter-finals.
Mexico have solely reached that stage twice — in 1970 and 1986. After they have been hosts.
The sport seemed to be drifting in direction of a colorless draw earlier than Mexico exploded within the second half, with Mateo Chavez opening the scoring earlier than Julian Quinones grabbed his second of the match and substitute Alvaro Fidalgo dealt the ultimate blow.
Mexico’s reward for a faultless opening stage shall be a knockout conflict on Tuesday with a third-placed facet from Group C, E, F, H or I with the match once more in entrance of their followers on the Azteca, the place they’re unbeaten in 9 World Cup matches.
“I feel the workforce performed a superb sport, truthfully,” Mexico’s hard-to-please coach Javier Aguirre mentioned.
“In the end, we all the time have a number of issues to work on, however tonight is an effective evening for everybody.”
