Saudi Arabia's Firas Al-Buraikan reacts at the end of the World Cup group C soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)Saudi Arabia vs Mexico, FIFA World Cup 2022 Highlights: Henry Martin and Luis Chaves each scored in Mexico’s furious attempt to stay alive at the World Cup, but the 2-1 victory Wednesday night over Saudi Arabia was not enough.
Because of Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Poland in a simultaneous match, Mexico failed to advance out of its group for the first time since 1978.
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Mexico had reached the round of 16 at the last seven World Cups, which was tied with Brazil for the longest current streak.
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Lionel Messi (L) and Saudi Arabia manager Herve Renard with members of his team. (Reuters photos)
The referee blows the final whistle as Mexico bow out of the World Cup. They needed a third goal to go through but Saudi Arabia scored at the last instance to knock the wind out of sails that were flying for 90 minutes in full defiance. An incredible attempt by Mexico after two poor showings at this World Cup. The match ends Mexico 2-1 Saudi Arabia.
All over!!!! It's full time and Poland and Argentina have gone through to the next round. That Saudi goal killed all the momentum for Mexico and put qualification beyond them.
Heartbreak for Mexico! Saudi Arabia score as the North American team stays up the pitch searching for a goal. Al Dawsari taps in a simple finish. Mexico can still turn this around with a goal but only have a minute or so left.
KSA 0-2 MEX
Jimenez is foul. They can load it up again. Taken short. Alvarez into the penalty box and fires a cross wide!!! No one reaches it and Lozano fires wide.
In the other match, ARG have beaten POL
And we have 7 minutes added to the match. And it's all Mexico and another free kick. Another Saudi player in the book. Chavez lines one up. And it's straight to the keeper who beats it out.
KSA 0-2 MEX
And that's a goal and is it??? Good finish but that's given offside. Absolutely nailbiting stuff in the Group scenario now.
KSA 0-2 MEX
Alvarez puts in a cross but it's hooved clear by Saudi arabia. Poland have a player booked in the other match. That's now 2 less than Mexico.
KSA 0-2 MEX
Lozano is brough down just on the edge of the penalty box. Huge opportunity for Mexico here. They score, they are through. And chavez has hit the wall!!
KSA 0-2 MEX
That's another shot fizzed wide by Pineda!! Could have been deathly fror Poland. But they breathe easy. Raul Jimenez has come on for Mexico.
Another block by the Saudi keeper keeps the score at 2-0!!!
Poland and Mexico are level on points. They are level on goal difference. They were even level when they played each other to a 1-1 draw. What does this mean?
It triggers Fifa fair-play scenario where a team with fewer yellow cards in the group stage goes through to the next round in case of a tie. Poland has accumalated four yellow cards this tournament while Mexico has seven to their total team. As of now, Poland are going to the Round of 16 along with Argentina. One goal either way changes things once again.
Incredible scenes in Group C.
Chavez has lined up a free kick. It's dead centre. He has done it before and that's another free kick saved by the Saudi keeper. He is having a nightmarish day.
KSA 0-2 MEX
Ohhhhhhhhh!!! Martin catches a volley and blasts it over the Saudi Arabia goal. If they had scored, they would have been through!!!
KSA 0-2 MEX
And Argentina have scored again!!! That means Mexico and Poland are level on GD at the moment. But Poland are over them at the table due to FIFA Fairplay rules. Menwhile, Saudi Arabia are trying hard to break Mexico down.
MEX 2-0 KSA
As things stand, if Mexico score again and scorelines for both games remain that way, Argentina and Mexico go through. If Argentina score another goal against Poland and both games end on 2-0, then Fifa's infamous Fair-play rules comes into play and the team with fewer yellow cards go through. In that case, it will be the Polish that sneak into the Round-of-16.
Mexico keep on going with a barrage of corners coming at KSA. One of them is curled in and the saudi keeper punches it away. Mexico build again.
MEX 2-0 KSA
Lozano breaks through and that's another one slotted in by Mexico!!! But wai!! The flag is up and Mexico wil have the goal ruled out. Heartbreak.
MEX 2-0 KSA
Incredible scenes at the Saudi Arabia-Mexico game. Luis Chavez has just scored the second free kick goal of this World Cup. It is most definitely the best though. A left footed curler that ripped into Saudi keeper Al Owais's goal and the hearts of Saudi fans. This group is open and how!
Glorious free kiclk from Chavez!!! That has gone into the right side of the goal!!! That has doubled Mexico's lead. Mexico are now within one goal to Poland!!!
MEX 2-0 KSA
They tried for 45 minutes and failed. But minutes into the second half, Mexico got the goal they've been hunting for all night. Forward Henry Martin latches onto a deflection from a corner to tap the ball into goal. A real poacher's finish and now suddenly goal difference is in effect to decide Group C.
And yes!!!! Mexico have broken the deadlock!!!! A corner is curled in and Martin is there to bundle the ball in!!! What a start to the second half for MEX
MEX 1-0 KSA
We are back for the second half. Can Mexico or KSA break the deadlock? Uriel Antuna comes on for Vega for Mexico. Let's get to it. Saudi kicks us off.
At the end of the first half, it remains 0-0 between Saudi Arabia and Mexico. The Mexicans have had the lion's share of shots in this match, taking pops from all parts of the pitch. Their efforts would have been awarded if not for a resolute Saudi performance. Bodies have been put on the line, clearances have been made and the Saudis somehow survive a 45-minute onslaught.
The next 45 minutes could spell heartbreak for the Asian team or be one of their finest moments in World Cup history.
Terrific cross by the Saudi winger and the striker has got his head to it. Al-Hassan flying through the air but directs the header wide!!! That would have been smash and grab. We go for half time.
MEX 0-0 KSA
Lozano tries to run at Saudi defenders but he is closed down. Before that he hits an awry ball that has gone into the galaxy. KSA won't mind that a little bit.
MEX 0-0 KSA
It'll be six minutes of added time now. And Saudi have a free kick deep inside the area. That has gone straight to Ochoa. KSA are looking spent.
MEX 0-0 KSA
Waves and waves of green jerseys are pouring into the KSA box, taking shots but KSA defence remains resolute, with Mohamed Al-Owais saved by the bell due to a foul on him.
MEX 0-0 KSA
We are 40 mins in and Mexico have been the far likelier team to score. Alvarez is denied next as the ball goes over the line for a corner. Nothing off it though.
MEX 0-0 KSA
In the other match, Messi got a penalty after VAR check and Szczesny has saved it brilliantly from the spot. His second penalty save of the WC
Al Bulayhi is off after that coming together with Lozano. Riyadh Sharahili comes in inplace of him. Yes. it has been that kind of a match.
MEX 0-0 KSA
Free kicks after free kicks for Mexico as Chavez tries to go through and is hit on the face by a KSA defender. Al-Hassan into the book.
MEX 0-0 KSA
Pineda is upended as he tries to wriggle away from the KSA defenders. Mexico with the free kick that is gone over the head of Sanchez for a throw.
MEX 0-0 KSA
A cross from the right finds Pineda. It's still alive near the goal but Saudi do well to clear the ball. How long will they deny this Mexican side?
MEX 0-0 KSA
At the twenty five minute mark, it's all Mexico against Saudi Arabia. The Asian giants are playing a brave game with three defenders at the back but are having to defend wave after wave of Mexican forays. A win virtually guarantees a spot in the last sixteen for Herve Renard's men.
Chalk that up as another attempt. Lozano and Chavez are dictating the Mexican play at the moment. Sanchez runs in from the deep and shoots straight at Mohamed Al-Owais.
MEX 0-0 KSA
Another deep curling ball finds Lozano on the right hand side. He tries to cut inside and shoot but it's blocked. The ensuing ball is snatched on by another Mexican player who shoots straight at the goalie.
MEX 0-0 KSA
Mexico are keeping the ball at the moment and are trying to play a killer ball over the Saudi defence. Hasn't quite gone to plan but that's a positive intent nontheless.
MEX 0-0 KSA
Mexico break again. Lozano gets the ball and that's taken off his toes by the Saudi Arabia keeper. The striker is getting into good position but the keeper is equal to it.
MEX 0-0 KSA
Chavez has brought down Abdul Hamid who was on swashbuckling run!!! Saudi with the free kick at a very good position. Who will take it? Salem over it. And Kanno shoots it. But over the bar. Not a bad effort at all.
MEX 0-0 KSA
Kanno with Saudi Arabia's first attack of the game. He brings down a diagonal ball well. Will he shoot? Yes and it's miles off target. Over into the crowd.
MEX 0-0 KSA
Huge block by the Saudi goalie as a ball is curled in. Martinez throws himself at it but just misses the mark. Mexico appeal for a penalty but nothing doing says the official.
MEX 0-0 KSA
And that has gone through and the Saudi goalie is off his line to save off the Mexican attacker!! Mexico with all the intent in the opening few minutes.
MEX 0-0 KSA
Mexico with the first shot of the game as Chavez is fed a little further from the D. He shoots and that has gone harmlessly wide. Intent shown for Mexico.
And it's time for kick off. Saudi in white garb while Mexico don their legendary green kit. Mexico will kick us off and we are away
Players walk out of the tunnel and we are all set. The national anthems start, first Saud's, followed by Mexico. Both need wins. Let's go!!!
The goal was Wahbi Khazri’s last touch of the ball. Fed the ball from close to the halfway line by Aissa Laidouni, he sprinted as though his life depended on it, spun and sped past the onrushing French shirts, dinked over the flailing legs of French defender Ibrahim Konate, and dribbled the ball past goalkeeper Steven Mandanda. (READ OUR REPORT)
Mexico are yet to register a win this edition of the World Cup. And they'll be hoping to start against Saudi tonight. They were then defeated by an Argentina team 2-0. To advance, Mexico will hope for a win and the other match result go their way.
Saudi Arabia had started the World Cup with a bang when they defeated Lionel Messi's argentina 1-2 after going a goal down at half time. Next match, they faced Poland who defeated the Asian nation 2-0. Now they must win outright against Mexico and hope Poland defeat Argentina or the match is tied.
Poland: Sitting in first place, Poland will advance to the knockout stage with a win or a draw against Argentina. Even if it loses to Argentina, it still has a chance of advancing in some scenarios in which Mexico and Saudi Arabia tie or Mexico wins, depending on tiebreakers such as goal differential.
Argentina: Second-place Argentina will advance to the knockout stage if it beats Poland in its last group game, but even a draw could do it — as long as the other group game is a draw or if Mexico wins but not by a hefty goal differential.
Saudi Arabia: Following its monumental upset of Argentina with a loss, to Poland, Saudi Arabia complicated its hopes of a berth in the round of 16. If Saudi Arabia beats Mexico in its next game, it will advance, but it could also go through with a draw if Poland wins, or if Argentina wins (but that scenario would come down to goal differential).
Mexico: Chances of advancing are narrow but not impossible: If Mexico beats Saudi Arabia and Poland beats Argentina, it will head to the round of 16. If Mexico wins but Argentina beats Poland, Mexico would need a hefty goal differential to move ahead of Poland for the second-place spot in the group. Mexico could also advance if it wins and the other group game is a tie, but again it would depend on tiebreakers like goal differential.
Mexico coach Tata Martino made four changes to his starting side, bringing in forwards Orbelin Pineda and Henry Martin. Defender Edson Alvarez returned to the starting lineup along with Jorge Sanchez. Saudi Arabia must beat Mexico to guarantee reaching the last 16 for the second time regardless of the outcome of the Poland v Argentina game.
Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard made tactical changes to his lineup to face Mexico in their final Group C game on Wednesday as they bid to qualify for the World Cup last 16. With Mohammed Al-Breik out injured, Hassan Tambakti was brought back into the team. Sultan Al-Ghanam will play on the right side of the defence and Saud Abdulhamid replaced the suspended Abdulelah Al-Malki in midfield. Ali Al-Hassan comes in for his Al-Nassr team mate Sami Al-Najei.
France forward Antoine Griezmann thought he had evened the score in the eighth minute of stoppage time but he was ruled offside following a video review. You can watch the sequence of events below.
Tunisia pulls off a historic win over France but it's not enough to send them through.
WOW! What a dramatic end to the game as Griezmann is denied the equaliser. The goal is overturned after a VAR check. Tears turn to smiles again for Tunisian fans. Everyone thought it was over until the dramatic VAR intervention. TUN 1-0 FRA