Mexico has done something it rarely does in World Cup tournaments: look completely dominant. El Tri collected 9 points from three group-stage matches without conceding a single goal.

But the stat line wasn’t the story everyone was talking about. That honor belonged to a 77th-minute substitution that had nothing to do with tactics and everything to do with legacy.

Ochoa’s farewell moment on the world’s biggest stage

Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa, Mexico’s iconic goalkeeper, was brought on as a substitute in the 77th minute of one of the group-stage matches. It wasn’t a tactical decision. It was a tribute.

Ochoa is making his sixth World Cup appearance. The veteran goalkeeper, now aged 40-41, has indicated that this tournament will be his final act on the international stage.

For Mexican soccer fans, Ochoa has been the last line of defense for El Tri across nearly two decades of international competition, debuting at the World Cup in 2006.

A perfect group stage for El Tri

Three matches played. Three wins. Zero goals conceded. Nine points.

Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 tournament alongside the US and Canada. The perfect nine-point haul means Mexico has already secured qualification for the knockout stages.

The debate over Ochoa’s final start

With qualification already secured, discussion has emerged around whether Ochoa should be given a start in Mexico’s final group-stage fixture. If that match takes place at the Estadio Azteca, coach Javier Aguirre faces the challenge of balancing Ochoa’s legacy against the competitive consideration of a defensive unit that has not allowed a single goal across three matches.

The 77th-minute tribute already showed that Mexico’s coaching staff is willing to balance competitive pragmatism with emotional intelligence. Whether they extend that balance to a full start remains one of the more compelling storylines heading into the final group match.