Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 but crashed out of the 2022 World Cup on goal difference after a dramatic finish.
At 2-0 ahead Mexico were level with Poland in Group C on points, goal difference, goals scored and on their head-to-head record. They were going out due to getting more yellow cards than Poland but conceded deep into injury-time which meant they missed out on goal difference.
Mexico started the match with a fantastic tempo, showing their attacking intent early on. They knew they needed to score goals and they played like it from the off. Gerardo Martino’s men found joy in particular on the flanks, putting in a succession of crosses which had the Saudi Arabia defenders scrambling.
Saudi Arabia had a big chance at the other end, Mohamed Kanno fired over with a free kick from around 25 yards out. The issue for Herve Renard however was that when his side did manage to venture forward, Mexico were so quick to counter, usually with four or five players joining the attack at once.
Saudi Arabia, much to their credit, defended resolutely ensuring that they went in at half-time at 0-0.
Mexico, much like they did in the first half, came flying out of the blocks in the second half and found the breakthrough through Henry Martin on the 47th minute. Cesar Montes brilliantly flicked on a cross for Martin to smash home. Mexico’s intentions were clear in their lack of celebration, instead they opted to grab the ball and sprint back to the halfway line in search of another.
Just five minutes after opening the scoring, Mexico found the back of the net again, Luis Chavez making it 2-0 with a sensational free-kick, a certain contender for goal of the tournament. It still wasn’t enough though, Mexico needed another.
El Tri continued to pour forward, creating chance after chance as they searched for the third goal which would have seen them move ahead of Poland on goal difference.
Deep into stoppage time, Saudi Arabia countered quickly and Hattan Bahebri slipped in Salem Al-Dawsari to score and break Mexican hearts. It was too little too late for Saudi Arabia but that goal confirmed Poland’s progression to the last 16 and Mexico’s departure.
TALKING POINT – PERMUTATION MADNESS
The final day in Group C made for some scintillating World Cup action.
Both fixtures being played at the same time only added to the drama as all four sides could still qualify for the last 16 going into the games. At one point, Poland were on course to progress due to having one less yellow card than Mexico, even more bizarrely, if Poland received another yellow card with the scores as they were, then FIFA would have had to draw lots to determine who went through out of Poland and Mexico.
This match was a fantastic advert for the World Cup, featuring moments of agony, ecstasy, joy and despair, all wrapped up inside 97 minutes of action.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – HIRVING LOZANO (MEXICO)
The 27-year-old was superb for Mexico, especially in the second half. Every single time he got on the ball you felt that he was going to make something happen for his nation. He was also tenacious without the ball, buzzing about, picking up loose passes and winning the ball back from the Saudi Arabia players. On the ball, he started attacks with his positive attacking play, as highlighted by his six key passes and two big chances created. On another day Lozano could have ended up with a couple of assists and into the round of 16, but today Chucky was not so lucky.
PLAYER RATINGS
Saudi Arabia: Mohammed Al-Owais 7, Al-Ghannamn, 6, Al-Amri 6, Al-Tambakti 7, Al-Boleahi 6, Al-Buraikan 5, Al-Hassan 6, Abdulhamid 6, Al-Dawsari 7, Al-Shehri 6, Kanno 6
Subs: Madu 7, Sharahili 6, Alobud 6, Bahebri 7
Mexico: Ochoa 6, Gallardo 7, Moreno 6, Montes 7, Sanchez 6, Luis Chavez 8, Edson Alvarez 7, Alexis Vega 6, Pineda 6, Hirving Lozano 9, Henry Martin 8
Subs: Kevin Alvarez 6, Uriel Antuna 6, Carlos Rodriguez 6, Rogelio Funes Mori 6, Raul Jimenez 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
3′ EXCELLENT SAVE Wow, this game has started at such an electric pace. Alexis Vega goes 1v1 but Al-Owais is out like a flash and saves it.
47′ GOAL – MEXICO! They came flying out of the blocks in this second half and they get their goal after just two minutes! Cesar Montes knocks it on to Henry Martin who makes no mistake from close range!
52′ GOAL – MEXICO They’ve scored again! Luis Chavez fires home a SUPERB free kick from distance. That was an absolutely sensational free kick.
56′ IT WON’T COUNT! Hirving Lozano fires home and Mexico think it’s 3-0 but it’s ruled out for offside. They are having chance after chance!
95′ GOAL – SAUDI ARABIA Al-Dawsari scores the goal that breaks Mexican hearts! It’s too late for Saudi Arabia but it sends Poland through to the Round of 16 and will knock Mexico out!
