Mexico's Luis Chavez celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates during the 2022 Qatar World Cup final Group C match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at the Lusail Stadium. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)
It was a case of ecstasy and agony for Mexico.
Mexico finally ended their goal drought in Qatar yesterday to beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 but that Saudi goal which came in the dying moments of the game at Lusail Stadium means both teams are out of reckoning for the Round of 16 in the World Cup.
Lying at the bottom Mexico needed three goals to advance from Group C on goal difference with Poland after Argentina beat the Central European country 2-0 in the other match of the day which ended minutes earlier. But the late Saudi goal by their star player Salem Al Dawsari broke the Mexican hearts.
However, the Saudi exit from the tournament was a bigger heartbreak for thousands of their fans at the stadium and millions of Arabs rooting for their victory.
Mexico threw the kitchen sink after the Saudi goal but failed to score and advance.
At one stage, Mexico were set to be knocked out because they had collected more yellow cards (seven) than Poland (five), with the two teams level on points and goal difference. Finally, with Argentina Poland advanced from the group on goal difference (Poland 0, Mexico -1).
For Mexico goal scorers were striker Henry Martin in the 47th minute and midfielder Luis Chavez in the 52nd minute.
Mexico had reached the last 16 in each of their last previous seven World Cups while Saudi Arabia were eyeing the knockout stage after 1994.
“It’s a hard blow, there are no words,” said Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez.
“The team went out looking for it from the start and we had a lot of chances. But we couldn’t score and that leaves a bitter taste.” Saudi Arabia who registered a shock 2-0 win over Argentina in their opening game at the same stadium before suffering a 2-0 reversal at the hands of Poland were slight favourites at yesterday’s match.
Mexico opened scoring through a corner-kick in the 47th minute when striker Henry Martin tapped home from close range. Saudi Arabia immediately won a free-kick just outside the box but Al Dawsari’s chip was headed away.
Mexico didn’t take that long to fire in their second. It came in the 52nd minute from a spectacular free-kick nearly 30 yards out when Chavez’s left footer curled in evading keeper Mohammed Al Owais into the tope corner. It was his first international goal.
In the 54th minute Mexico’s star player Herving Lazano scored but the offside flag went up. Al Owais made a brilliant stop to his right preventing Lazano scoring in the 65th minute.
Mexico's Henry Martin, Uriel Antuna, and Kevin Alvarez look dejected after being eliminated from the World Cup. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)
In the 72nd minute Chavez almost doubled his tally. His free-kick was kept away by a flying Al Owais.
With every Mexican attack Saudi side increasingly looked jaded. Saudi’s goal came in the added time through their star player Al Dawshari.
Al Dawsari, calmly slotted the ball from inside the area past Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa after substitute Hattan Bahabri set it up nicely. Al Dawsari equalled Sami Al Jaber’s record of three FIFA World Cup goals for Saudi Arabia.
"We are very frustrated. After the first two games we were left with a lot to do and this last one was not enough for us," Chavez said.
"We didn't have any goals and we had a lack of attention at the back today and it ended up leaving us out.
"We will see what happens next, those of us who have to leave this national team, this cannot happen to Mexico. We had set ourselves the goal of the fifth game and we didn't even reach the fourth."
Mexico desperately needing to score showed a lot of attacking intent from the beginning. They were in business a number of times but resolute Saudi defence kept them at bay.
In a goalless opening half Saudi Arabia’s best chance came in the stoppage time when midfielder Ali al Al Hassan’s header off a cross from Sultan Al Ghannam from the byline missed the far post. Mohamed Kanno had his chances, firing wide from the angle and curling a free-kick narrowly over.
Saudi Arabia appeared to be lining up in a 3-4-3 formation as their ace defender Abdulelah Al Malki was suspended having picked up a second yellow card against Poland. Mexico had looked to strengthen the attack with Martin in front with Alexis Vega, Obbelin Pineda and Lozano just behind him in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
