Saudi Arabia 1-2 Mexico: El Tri edged out by Poland on GD despite victory
Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 but agonisingly went out of the World Cup on goal difference on a night of incredible drama in Doha.
2022 World Cup
With Argentina beating Poland 2-0 in Group C at Stadium 974 and Mexico leading by the same scoreline at Lusail Stadium in the 94th minute, Gerardo Martino's side needed one more goal to prevent them from going out according to Fifa's fair play rule.
But Salem Al Dawsari's injury-time consolation goal for Saudi Arabia sent the distraught Mexicans home anyway, leaving the Polish players to celebrate across the city.
After a stop-start first half with little rhythm to it, the match burst into life two minutes after the break as Henry Martin reacted quickest to finish Cesar Montes' flick on.
Mexico fans had barely calmed their celebrations before Luis Chavez curled a glorious 30-yard free-kick into the top corner to send their supporters into pandemonium.
They thought they had another but Hirving Lozano's low strike was chalked off for offside and Martin should have had a second but volleyed over from 12 yards out.
It was all Mexico as they pushed for further goals. Chavez nearly struck another stunning free-kick but Mohammed Al Owais palmed it out, then Orbelín Pineda curled narrowly wide.
Mexico thought they had sealed progression when Uriel Antuna stroked in late on, but that too was flagged for offside and they went out in the most excruciating manner.
Match Events
9' Al-Owais makes brilliant save
14' CLOSE! Kanno’s shot wide out
21' Chávez’s long shot saved by keeper!
41' CLOSE! Pineda’s shot wide out
46' GOAL! Saudi Arabia 0-1 Mexico (Henry Martín)
46' Galiardo makes an important clearance
51' GOAL! Saudi Arabia 0-2 Mexico (Luis Chávez)
59' OFFSIDE! Lozano’s goal disallowed
72' Chávez’s Free Kick saved by keeper!
80' Yellow Card! Abdullah Madu booked
Line-ups
Saudi Arabia XI: Salem Al Dawsari, Saleh Al-Shehri, Mohammed Al Owais, Mohammed Kanoo, Sultan Al-Ghannam, Ali Albulayhi, Firas Al-Buraikan, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Hassan Tambakti, Ali Al-Hassan, Saud Abdulhamid
Subs: Nawaf Al-Abed, Hattan Babhir, Abdullah Otayf, Abdullah Madu, Abdulrahman Al-Oboud, Riad Sharahili, Sami Al-Najei, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Mohammed Al-Rubaie, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Haitham Asiri
Mexico XI: G. Ochoa, H.Moreno, Orbelín Pineda, Henry Martín, Lozano, Luis Chávez, J. Gallardo, César Montes, Alexis Vega, Jorge Sánchez, Alvarez
Subs: Guardado, A. Talavera, Rodolfo Cota, Herrera, Rogelio Funes Mori, Araujo, Jimenez, Érick Gutiérrez, Roberto Alvarado, Carlos Rodríguez, Luis Romo, Uriel Antuna, Gerardo Arteaga, Johan Vásquez, Kevin Álvarez
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