MEXICO CITY (AP) — In the 77th minute, finally, it was Guillermo Ochoa's time.
Supporters had chanted for the legendary goalkeeper as he entered the pitch for warmups Wednesday. They shouted “Memo” — Ochoa’s nickname — before the starting lineups were announced in the stadium ahead of Mexico's last World Cup group game against Czech Republic. Cries for “O-cho-a” reverberated through Estadio Azteca in the 73rd minute.
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Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (13) reacts after the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and Mexico in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko )
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (13) runs to Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre after teammate Alvaro Fidalgo (8) scored their third goal the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and Mexico in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa poses with children after a World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and Czechia in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (13) celebrates after teammate Alvaro Fidalgo (8) scored their third goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and Mexico in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (13) is celebrated by his team after the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and Mexico in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko )
Head coach Javier Aguirre satisfied the crowd, and the nation, by bringing in the 40-year-old veteran to thunderous applause in a match that likely marks his farewell to El Tri.
“It's the most beautiful thing that they recognize your effort,” Ochoa said of the fans after Mexico's 3-0 win. “I always try to do it for them, to leave a mark. I think that today was a perfect closing.”
The setting for his farewell couldn't have been better than at the Azteca stadium, where he made his professional debut with Club América in 2004.
“I felt the affection in the stadium where I was born, the stadium where I grew up.” Ochoa said. “It came to me when I was in the stands and I said ‘I want to be on the field and I want to play here in this stadium.’”
Ochoa etched his name alongside World Cup greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on Wednesday — albeit with an asterisk. While this tournament marks his sixth World Cup squad selection, it's just his fourth that include on-field appearances.
Ochoa watched from the bench in Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010 before becoming Mexico’s undisputed 'keeper from Brazil 2014 through Qatar 2022.
The man known as Memo rose to prominence following a man-of-the-match performance in a 0-0 draw with hosts Brazil in the 2014 World Cup, including a spectacular denial of a Neymar header that earned him international acclaim. He followed that outing with a similarly stunning performance in the round of 16 against the Netherlands, once again earning the player of the match award.
He also delivered a strong performance in the 2018 tournament, including a clean sheet against defending champion Germany. Then, despite starting the 2022 tournament well with a man-of-the-match outing against Poland, Ochoa conceded a late goal against Saudi Arabia to seal Mexico’s first group-stage elimination since 1978.
Ochoa’s presence at his sixth World Cup was in jeopardy until an injury to projected starter Luis Ángel Malagón, who had anchored Mexico’s Nations League and Gold Cup triumphs last year, opened a path to this final curtain call. And what a show it was.
“If they had asked me to make a script a couple of years ago, I don’t think it would have turned out better than it did tonight,” Ochoa said. “It was wonderful. It was perfect.”
He entered to the sound of more than 85,000 people in Azteca chanting his name. The songs burst out soon after, followed by cacophonous cheers when he had his first touch.
After the final whistle, Ochoa’s teammates tossed him into the air in celebration.
“In the end, I think that is the most beautiful thing of all,” Ochoa said. “The affection of my teammates.”
Jack Little is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (13) reacts after the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and Mexico in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko )
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (13) runs to Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre after teammate Alvaro Fidalgo (8) scored their third goal the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and Mexico in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa poses with children after a World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and Czechia in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (13) celebrates after teammate Alvaro Fidalgo (8) scored their third goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and Mexico in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (13) is celebrated by his team after the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and Mexico in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko )
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Powerful back-to-back earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening killed at least 32 people and injured at least 700, the nation's acting president said, as communities across the South American country sustained damage.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez warned the toll was expected to rise as rescuers search collapsed buildings and emergency crews reach devastated areas after the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck shortly after 6 p.m.
Rodríguez declared a state of emergency in an address to the nation late Wednesday and said the quakes caused damage in several states. The casualty figures released early Thursday excluded the state of La Guaira, which Rodríguez described as a “disaster zone” and the area hardest hit.
“Dozens of buildings have collapsed there, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Caracas, and we are currently carrying out intensive rescue operations to save lives,” she said.
The earthquakes, among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century, roiled the region, with buildings evacuated in cities and areas impacted as far as Brazil’s Amazon about 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) from Venezuela's capital Caracas.
The earthquakes damaged and closed Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas, the country’s main airport, Rodríguez said, adding that subway and natural gas services in Caracas were canceled. She urged Venezuelans to report any damages through a government app.
Rodríguez said school classes would be canceled for several days. The Ministry of Education said some school buildings would be used as shelters and donation centers.
“We urge our population to remain calm,” said Rodríguez, who asked health care professionals to report to hospitals to assist the injured. “We urge unity.”
The U.S. Geological Survey initially said the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1, later revising that to 7.2. Its epicenter was west of Morón on the country’s Caribbean coast about 168 kilometers (104 miles) west of Caracas. The quake had a depth of 22 kilometers (13.6 miles).
The USGS reported an even larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake just a minute later. The second quake had a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) with an epicenter 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of Morón.
In the coastal state of Falcon, Gov. Víctor Clark said 32 people had been hospitalized and there were 15 people trapped in the hours after the earthquake.
Offers of help were made by various governments including the United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama and Uruguay.
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio said in a post on X early Thursday that the United States is “immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela.”
Jeremy P. Lewin, the U.S. undersecretary of state for foreign assistance, said the State Department had mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to coordinate aid in coordination with the interim Venezuelan government.
Rodríguez said Thursday that Qatar had already sent rescuers who were expected in Venezuela the next day, along with rescue personnel from Mexico and El Salvador.
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, once diametrically opposed to Venezuela’s government, said in a post on X Wednesday night that he had offered aid.
“We send you all our solidarity and our prayers. Stay strong, Venezuela,” Bukele wrote.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said he had ordered the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to help respond to the emergency.
“Ecuador will respond with the speed and commitment this moment demands because, despite our enormous differences, humanity must always guide the actions of a leader,” Noboa wrote.
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, who less than a week ago declared a state of emergency in his country following weeks of anti-government protests, said his country stood ready to provide any needed assistance.
The administration of Brazil President Luiz Inácio da Silva expressed solidarity and said no Brazilians reported being injured.
Television broadcasts Thursday showed images of rescue workers using power tools on collapsed structures.
During the quakes, people evacuated swaying buildings in Caracas, many visibly shocked as they saw collapsed walls that left furniture visible from the street. Dust columns could be seen in two capital neighborhoods with typically busy restaurants and other businesses.
People remained on the streets for hours, some sitting on the ground hugging pets as dust gathered around them. Collapsed buildings, toppled electric poles and debris blocked streets. Parts of the capital lost power and cellphone signal.
“It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together,” Caracas resident Hector Ricci said.
Roberto Gamas, another Caracas resident, said the building he was in “really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong.”
The lack of cellphone signal in parts of Venezuela deepened the distress of many families, particularly those among the more than 7.7 million people who have left the country during its protracted crisis.
Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado, in exile after leaving Venezuela in December, took to X to send prayers and wish strength to Venezuelans.
“May strength, serenity, and solidarity prevail among us in the face of this difficult time,” she said on X.
Venezuela Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the quake could be felt in several states and asked motorists to give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
“We understand that some people may be desperate, but we are acting according to protocols to activate aid and rescue efforts to help those who need it most,” Cabello said, urging people to remain outside as aftershocks could further damage structures. “Be very careful with children and the elderly. Call each other and check that no one has been harmed.”
Buildings in Manaus, Belem and Macapá in Brazil's Amazon were evacuated, according to reports on TV Globo. The quakes also were felt in Colombia’s Caribbean and northeast regions, but there were no reports of damages or injuries.
The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued several tsumani alerts in the wake of the earthquakes that were quickly lifted.
Strong earthquakes are unusual in Venezuela. While the country sits near multiple fault lines, its position straddling the South American and Caribbean plates make earthquakes much less common than in other parts of Latin America.
Earthquakes are frequent along the Pacific coast, including in Mexico and Chile, which both sit along the seismically active tectonic belt known as the Ring of Fire, an area that the USGS said is responsible for 90% of earthquakes.
Garcia Cano reported from Bogota, Colombia. Associated Press writers Clara Preve in Buenos Aires, Astrid Suarez in Bogota, Colombia, Mauricio Savarese in Sao Paulo and Anna-Catherine Brigida, Megan Janetsky and India Grant in Mexico City, Cristina Fuentes in Madrid and Maria Teresa Hernandez in Beijing contributed to this report.
A boy comforts his mother after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)
A man holding a dog cries after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Javier Campos)
Rescue workers search through the rubble after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026.(AP Photo/Javier Campos)
Rescue workers search through the rubble of a collapsed building after earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Rescue worker carry an injured man after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
