Aguirre downplays Mexico's achievement after topping group for first time since 2002

[p]The co-hosts ‌became the first team to book a place in ‌the knockout stage, sealing top spot in Group A with ‌the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/mexico-O6iHcNkd/south-korea-K6Gs7P6G/?mid=On5HOkVj"]victory in Guadalajara[/a] and matching the achievement of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/aguirre-javier/6gTgWwCE/"]Aguirre's[/a] 2002 side.[/p][p][b]"I didn't know that statistic,"[/b] Aguirre, who is coaching [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mexico/O6iHcNkd/"]Mexico[/a] at a third World Cup, told reporters. [b]"It's anecdotal. It was anecdotal in ‌2002 and it's anecdotal now because what ⁠matters in the end is ‌the final position."[/b][/p][p]The result guarantees Mexico at least one knockout-stage match ​in Mexico City, a prospect Aguirre welcomed as his side seek to build momentum in front of home ​support.[/p][p][b]"There's nothing like playing at home, it's priceless," [/b]he said. [b]"The Mexico factor is hugely important."[/b][/p][p]Mexico delivered a nervy performance in ⁠their tournament opener against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/south-africa/W2ijYvlr/"]​South Africa[/a] but Aguirre said his players had learned valuable lessons from that match.[/p][p][b]"Today we learned from our mistakes,"[/b] he said. "[b]We weren't spectacular, but we played a good match.[/b][/p][p]"That speaks to ‌the team's maturity. We were much more patient."[/p][p]Asked what set this squad apart from previous Mexican teams he had managed, the 67-year-old said with a smile: "[b](This team) has a calmer coach."[/b][/p][image alt="Match stats" id="8d353a90-f8e8-474a-aee6-f03a51f206ee" credit-line="StatsPerform via Opta" guid="dda56c5b-0fdf-4437-8782-101e121e06f1" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]He also joked that he had stopped fighting battles over players using mobile phones and had become less rigid than the intense manager who led Mexico in 2002 and 2010.[/p][p][b]"I'm much more relaxed and composed now,"[/b] he said. [b]"Age helps. Two ‌granddaughters help."[/b][/p][p]While Mexico have secured home-field advantage for the next ​round, Aguirre said he was determined to keep expectations ‌in check ahead of their final group match against the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/czech-republic/6LHwBDGU/"]Czech Republic[/a].[/p][p]But he also wanted to give them the belief they can achieve more.[/p][p][b]"I want to convince my players that we can get into the top 10 in ⁠the world," [/b]he said. "[b]That would ⁠be something very special ‌for us."[/b][/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]