Mexico became the first nation to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup knockout stage on Wednesday, winning their second consecutive Group A match to confirm progression from the group stage with a game to spare, to the delight of the host nation’s partisan support.

El Tri defeated New Zealand 3-1 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the iconic ground hosting its third World Cup, in a match that saw Mexico play with a freedom and confidence that has defined their tournament so far. Goals from Hirving Lozano, Henry Martin, and a second-half strike from Santiago Giménez sealed the win before a sold-out crowd of more than 87,000.

The result, combined with Ecuador’s 0-0 draw against Bolivia earlier in the day, means Mexico cannot be caught in the group with six points from two games. They enter the final round of group matches on June 22 against Ecuador already assured of their place in the last 32, a significant achievement for a side that suffered an embarrassing group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup despite playing in Qatar.

Lozano opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a driven finish from the edge of the box after excellent build-up play involving Edson Álvarez and Alexis Vega. New Zealand equalized against the run of play just before halftime when striker Chris Wood headed in a corner. But Mexico reasserted control in the second half, with Martin restoring the lead from close range in the 51st minute and Giménez putting the result beyond doubt with a penalty in the 78th.

Mexico manager Javier Aguirre, in his third spell in charge of the national team, was measured in his post-match assessment. He said qualification was the minimum expectation and that the team was focused on winning the group and preparing for the tougher tests that the knockout rounds would bring. He declined to name any specific potential opponents they were hoping to avoid.

The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada in the first three-nation hosting arrangement in the tournament’s history. Mexico was allocated 11 matches across Estadio Azteca and the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, and the government had invested heavily in infrastructure for the event. Strong performances by El Tri have generated considerable national enthusiasm and boosted commercial activity around the stadiums.

Giménez, the Feyenoord striker who scored 31 goals in the Eredivisie last season, has been Mexico’s most effective forward in the tournament and his penalty brought his international tally to 18 goals. Aguirre said after the match that Giménez had developed into a world-class player and that his combination with the experienced Lozano gave Mexico a genuine attacking threat at the top of the structure. Brazil and Argentina, both of whom won their openers, are in a different group and Mexico could face either nation only from the quarterfinals onward if all three sides advance.

The knockout stage of the expanded 48-team World Cup begins on July 4 with the round of 32. Mexico’s final group game against Ecuador will determine the group winner and which section of the bracket they enter for the last 32. Tournament organizers said demand for tickets to Mexican knockout matches was running at levels unprecedented in World Cup history, with secondary market prices for Azteca seats exceeding $1,200.

New Zealand, now eliminated from the group stage, said they would use their final match against Bolivia to give younger players tournament experience. Their manager Danny Hay praised his side’s resilience in a difficult group and said the program would continue to build toward the 2030 World Cup.