World Cup '62: Despite Group Exit, Mexico Wins First Game

By Steven Torres - ANCCIF President   (Posted on  21 May 2026)

Mexico entered the 1962 FIFA World Cup in Chile carrying a heavy historical burden. To even reach South America, El Tri had to endure a grueling qualification campaign, ultimately dispatching Paraguay in a high-stakes, intercontinental playoff series. This marked Mexico's fourth consecutive World Cup appearance—and fifth overall—but their previous four campaigns had all ended in immediate, often painful, group-stage exits.

While Chile 1962 would ultimately yield the same group-stage fate, it would forever be remembered as a monumental watershed moment: the tournament where Mexico finally broke its 32-year winless curse and claimed its first-ever World Cup victory.

Trelles and His Veteran Core

Arriving in Chile, the Mexican national team was under the meticulous guidance of Guadalajara-born Ignacio Trelles Campos. A legendary domestic league midfielder whose playing career was cut short by a severe injury, Trelles had transitioned into a brilliant, tactically sharp coach.

Recognizing the immense pressure of the world stage, Trelles constructed a squad balanced heavily with tournament experience. Of the 22-man roster traveling to Chile, Trelles brought nine World Cup veterans. Remarkably, four of those players boasted multiple tournament appearances:

• Antonio Carbajal: The iconic captain and starting goalkeeper, making his fourth consecutive appearance.

• Raúl Cárdenas: The dependable defensive anchor, entering his third tournament.

• Pedro Nájera: A gritty midfielder also marking his third squad selection.

• Jaime Gómez: The reliable backup goalkeeper, providing invaluable veteran depth.

Trelles’ blueprint was clear: rely on seasoned, battle-hardened veterans to navigate the most difficult group in the tournament.

Holding the Line Against Pelé's Brazil

The draw for Group 3 was merciless. Mexico was placed alongside Spain, Czechoslovakia, and the tournament favorites and defending champions, Brazil.

On 30 May, Mexico opened its campaign at the Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar against a star-studded Brazilian side led by a young Pelé. Historically, this matchup was a nightmare for El Tri; it was their third World Cup meeting, with the Samba Kings having won both prior encounters by a combined, brutal scoreline of 8:0.

Before an anxious crowd of 10,484 fans, Mexico defied the script. Trelles' defensive tactics frustrated the reigning champions, and El Tri incredibly held Brazil scoreless for the entire first half. Even when Pelé struck the woodwork with a ferocious free kick, the Mexican backline refused to bend.

The deadlock finally broke in the 56th minute when Mário Zagallo connected with a sharp header, slipping it past Carbajal to give Brazil a 1:0 lead. Mexico fought valiantly to equalize, but the individual genius of Pelé settled the affair in the 73rd minute. Dribbling past four Mexican defenders in a breathtaking solo run, Pelé slotted the ball into the penalty area to secure a 2:0 victory for Brazil. Despite the loss, Mexico left the pitch with their dignity firmly intact.

Heartbreak in Viña del Mar

Four days later (3 June), Mexico returned to the Estadio Sausalito to face Spain for the very first time in World Cup history. Spain boasted a fearsome squad, featuring legendary figures like Ferenc Puskás and the lethal winger Francisco Gento.

In front of 11,875 spectators, the match mirrored the defensive masterclass against Brazil. Carbajal and his backline neutralized the Spanish attack for nearly 90 minutes. As the clock wound down, controversy struck. Mexico aggressively pushed forward and believed they had earned a clear penalty kick in the Spanish box. However, Yugoslavian referee Branko Tešanić waved play on, sparking furious protests from the Mexican side.

The non-call proved catastrophic. With mere seconds left before the final whistle, Spanish captain Gento orchestrated a rapid counterattack down the left flank. He delivered a pinpoint cross to Joaquín Peiró, who beat a diving Carbajal for a devastating, 90th-minute game-winner. Spain escaped with a 1:0 win, and Mexico was officially eliminated from advancing to the knockout stages.

90 Minutes of History Against Czechoslovakia

With nothing but pride left to play for, Mexico closed out Group 3 on 7 June against Czechoslovakia at Estadio Sausalito. The Czechs were a formidable, disciplined powerhouse led by future Ballon d'Or winner Josef Masopust. They needed a result to secure their own advancement, while Mexico simply wanted to end their tournament on a high note.

The match began in disastrous fashion. Just 15 seconds after the opening whistle, Czechs Václav Mašek caught the Mexican defense sleeping, slotting home the fastest goal in World Cup history at the time to make it 1:0.

Many expected Mexico to collapse, but Trelles' men responded with unprecedented resolve:

1. The Equalizer (12th Minute): Isidoro Díaz showcases spectacular footwork, beating two Czech defenders inside the box before firing past goalkeeper Viliam Schrojf to level the score at 1:1.

2. The Lead (29th Minute): Capitalizing on a surge of momentum, Alfredo del Águila strikes a powerful shot into the back of the net. For the first time in 32 years of World Cup history, Mexico holds a lead on the grandest stage.

Throughout the second half, Czechoslovakia threw everything at the Mexican goal, but Carbajal stood like a wall. In the 90th minute, Mexico was awarded a penalty kick. Héctor Hernández stepped up to the spot, calmly converted, and sealed a historic 3:1 victory to the absolute delight of the 10,648 fans in attendance.

The Group of Death Formally Validated

Though Mexico packed its bags and headed home after the group stage, time would heavily validate the sheer caliber of opponents they faced in Chile.

The two teams that survived Mexico's group—Brazil and Czechoslovakia—proved to be the best in the world. They marched all the way through the knockout brackets to face each other in the World Cup Final on 17 June at Santiago’s Estadio Nacional. Before a massive crowd of 68,679, Brazil captured its second consecutive Jules Rimet trophy with a 3:1 victory.

Mexico’s group-stage exit was undeniably tough, but the 1962 campaign was a triumph of progress. By holding their own against the eventual world champions and soundly defeating the eventual tournament runners-up, coach Trelles and his veteran squad proved to the world that El Tri truly belonged among football's elite.

Mexico Roster – 1962 World Cup

GK: Antonio Carbajal (Club León), Jaime Gómez (CD Guadalajara), Antonio Mota (CD Oro);

DF: Raúl Cárdenas (Zacatepec FC), Arturo Chaires (CD Guadalajara), Jesús del Muro (Atlas FC), Ignacio Jáuregui (Atlas FC), Guillermo Sepúlveda (CD Guadalajara), José Villegas (CD Guadalajara); 

MD: Salvador Farfán (Atlante FC), Pedro Nájera (Club América), Salvador Reyes (CD Guadalajara), Pedro Romero (CD Toluca), Mario Velarde – (CID Necaxa);

AT: Alfredo del Águila (CD Toluca), Alberto Baeza (CID Necaxa), Isidoro Díaz (CD Guadalajara), Alfredo Hernández (CF Monterrey), Héctor Hernández (CD Guadalajara), Antonio Jasso (Club América), Guillermo Ortiz Camargo (CID Necaxa), Felipe Ruvalcaba (CD Oro).

TD: Ignacio Trelles Campos (MEX)