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Follow coverage of Saudi Arabia vs Mexico at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar live with The Athletic.
Mexico fell short on goal difference after an inspired second half that saw them score two goals and pressure Saudi Arabia for the majority of the final 45 minutes.
Yet, as they threw bodies forward, Saudi Arabia scored a late goal in the fifth minute of stoppage-time through Salem Aldawsari.
As a result, Mexico finished third in the group after Argentina beat Poland 2-0. Argentina qualify for the last 16 as group winners with Poland finishing second on goal difference.
(Photo: KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)
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November 30, 2022 at 5:01 PM EST
It didn't quite come to that tonight, but Group C could have been decided on whichever side between Poland and Mexico had fewer yellow cards.
But what solution would you have for teams that finish level on points in the group stages?
November 30, 2022 at 4:35 PM EST
It’s the first time since 1978 that Mexico haven’t made it out of the group stages of a World Cup.
November 30, 2022 at 4:23 PM EST
Saudi Arabia's goal that condemend Mexico to elimination...
HEARTBREAK FOR MEXICO 💔
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 30, 2022
Saudi Arabia's stoppage time goal ensures that Poland, along with Argentina, go through to the last 16 of the #FIFAWorldCup 🤯#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball
November 30, 2022 at 4:22 PM EST
Before I pass you back, was that the best evening of World Cup football yet? Jeopardy, confusion, great goals and controversy. Messi and Argentina have successfully navigated their way though a group that started horrendously and Poland also scrape into the next round. This is how the teams currently in last 16 are looking...
1️⃣0️⃣ teams have booked their place in for the knockout stages now! 🎫
— Flashscore.com (@Flashscorecom) November 30, 2022
✅ #FRA
✅ #BRA
✅ #POR
✅ #NED
✅ #SEN
✅ #ENG
✅ #USA
✅ #AUS
✅ #ARG
✅ #POL#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/s7nhirDB9b
November 30, 2022 at 4:09 PM EST
Mexico's lovely shape from the first 60/70 minutes disintegrated like origami on a rainy day.
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November 30, 2022 at 4:07 PM EST
Mexico are perennial qualifiers for the knockout stages but they can't manage it this time. It was the first time they failed to progress out of the group stages since 1978. It is likely to end the tenure of Tata Martino, who has long been under huge pressure from the country's media and reports that he has lost the dressing room. But his players gave everything tonight but overturning such a huge goal difference always threatened to be a bridge too far. They bow out and so too does Andrés Guardado, having played in a record-equalling fifth World Cup.
Mexico needed a goal...but it's Saudi Arabia and Salem Al-Dawsari who sealed Mexico's fate! 💔 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/cnfwPjA9zO
— 90min (@90min_Football) November 30, 2022
November 30, 2022 at 4:03 PM EST
And that's it. Strange finish to a superb second half. Mexico were mesmerizing at times. But they just couldn't convert openings into goals. And that's their undoing. They then got mugged at the end but the goal didn't change anything. Both these teams are out. Saudi will always have Argentina and Mexico can sing sad songs about tonight.
November 30, 2022 at 4:01 PM EST
Michael Oliver has blown the whistle on a bonkers match. The best few hours of the World Cup. Mexico and Saudi Arabia played basketball for most of that game, turnovers constant and fouls everywhere. Mexico were outstanding but after the flatness of the first two games, they left themselves with too much to do. The remaining Saudi Arabian fans still in the stadium had something to cheer about but were completely outplayed for most of it.
36 shots in total between the two. 13 on target.
In the end, Argentina top the group, with Poland scraping through in second place on goal difference.
November 30, 2022 at 3:58 PM EST
In their only attack - scrap that, their only venture into Mexico's half - Salem Aldawsari scores after a neat one-two. A complete sucker punch. At least Mexico won't be dumped out on the yellow card rule. What a crazy match
November 30, 2022 at 3:57 PM EST
WHAT ON EARTH
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November 30, 2022 at 3:56 PM EST
Mexico need a goal. That's the equation now. Argentina beat Poland 2-0
November 30, 2022 at 3:55 PM EST
Lozano hits the target but is straight at Alowais and he still parries it into the danger area. He gets away with it
November 30, 2022 at 3:54 PM EST
Alamri is booked for grabbing the shirt of Funes Mori. Chavez to take again.
November 30, 2022 at 3:54 PM EST
Mexico are still heading out of the World Cup due to two extra bookings. Saudi Arabia are about to see a campaign that started with such promise completely unravel
November 30, 2022 at 3:52 PM EST
In the meantime, half the Saudi crowd has left. What on earth?!?
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November 30, 2022 at 3:52 PM EST
Oh no. Antuna gets behind Saudi's defence (again) but the goal is disallowed for offside (again). The green shirts keep coming. Funes Mori then has an effort blocked straight after
November 30, 2022 at 3:51 PM EST
Martino has a few minutes to save his job. Six minutes left in Argentina's game with Poland. Kevin Alvarez is on for his namesake and Rogelio Funes Mori replaces Jorge Sánchez
November 30, 2022 at 3:44 PM EST
Look at the pink gaggle of shirts in attack... Mexico are throwing everybody forward. Chavez to take the free-kick again after Abdullah Madu is booked for a cynical foul on Lozano
November 30, 2022 at 3:43 PM EST
They are doing everything to get a third. In front of 84, 985 fans, Alowais is stranded out of his goal but Uriel Antuna's shot is blocked. The most one sided second half you'll see...
84,985 here at Lusail for #KSA v #Mex.#FIFAWorldCup
— Shamoon Hafez (@ShamoonHafez) November 30, 2022
November 30, 2022 at 3:40 PM EST
That was Pineda's last action of the game as he is off for Carlos Alberto Rodríguez. Raul Jimenez replaces Henry Martin
Team Stats
KSA
MEX
10
Shots
26
2
Shots on Target
11
7
Chances Created
15
1
Corners
8
8
Saves
1
39.3%
Possession
60.7%
2
Offsides
6
20
Fouls
18
6
Yellow Cards
1
0
Red Cards
0
Game Details