Legendary Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa got his storybook final World Cup appearance. Eventually.

Manager Javier Aguirre did not start the 40-year-old on Wednesday in the Group A finale against Czech Republic despite Mexico having already clinched the group with a match to play.

Instead, once his team got to a 2-0 lead, he brought on Ochoa for his 154th cap in the 78th minute to a memorable ovation from an already raucous crowd.

With El Tri in control, Ochoa had little to do but soak up the emotion of officially playing in a fourth World Cup.

That was evident when he pumped his arms joyously as Alvaro Fidalgo scored a third goal in second-half stoppage time, and again after the final whistle when he was mobbed by celebrating teammates.

Ochoa is Mexico’s third-most capped player and its most-capped goalkeeper. He also is among their most decorated, having started on four CONCACAF Gold Cup-winning sides. He was on Mexico’s World Cup squads in 2006 and 2010 but didn’t play, then saw action in 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026.

His likely final World Cup appearance as a backup for Raul Rangel came at the same Mexico City venue where has played the majority of his home club matches.

Ochoa has made 309 career league appearances for Club America, the Mexican capital’s largest side.

“Many years in my mind, many stories,” Ochoa said postmatch. “My first match here in this goal. Lifting trophies here with my club. Moments with the national team in qualifiers. Moments of World Cups, the affection of the people. I think grateful, nothing more. I think words of gratitude to the people, to the teammates, to the coach for letting me live this last moment, right?”

–Ian Nicholas Quillen, Field Level Media