MEXICO CITY -- Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa took the field during the 78th minute of Mexico's 3-0 win over Czechia, giving the 40-year-old the chance to appear in his sixth World Cup.
Ochoa made history this summer after being included in Mexico's World Cup roster for a sixth time. After playing against Czechia, it marked the fourth time he's earned minutes at FIFA's showpiece event.
Currently a backup to usual starter Raul "Tala" Rangel, Wednesday's minutes gave the veteran an emotional return at the Estadio Azteca, a venue in which he made a name for himself for club and country.
Ochoa was greeted by a thunderous applause from the Mexico faithful when he took the field in the 78th minute as El Tri saw out their third win in three games to seal a perfect start and top Group A on their way to the knockout rounds.
"When I walked in, many years and many stories flashed through my mind. My first match here in this goal, lifting trophies here with my club," said Ochoa, who was a mainstay at the historic Azteca stadium thanks to his impressive performances with Club América across 15 seasons.
On Mexico's third goal, a long ball from Ochoa started the play that led to Álvaro Fidalgo's game-clinching strike.
"It was Memo Ochoa's night. He deserves everything that's happening to him," Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said after the match.
Ochoa became the oldest Mexican to play in the World Cup. The previous record holder was Cuauhtémoc Blanco, who was 37 when he played in South Africa in 2014.
"I am simply grateful. To the fans, my teammates, and the coach for letting me experience this moment," the veteran goalkeeper added.
Ochoa said he plans to retire from international competition after the World Cup. He was a substitute in the 2006 and 2010 tournaments and started for Mexico in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Already the winner of Group A, Mexico will play again at Estadio Azteca on Tuesday in a round-of-32 match against an opponent to be determined.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.