Mexico scored the first goals and picked up their first win at the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday, beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 to close out play in Group C, but the margin of victory wasn’t large enough to advance to the knockout rounds.
Instead, Poland (4 points) will join Argentina (6) in the round of 16 by way of their superior goal difference (0 to -1) to Mexico (4 points). For nearly 45 minutes, the tiebreaker in question was fair play points (yellow and red cards) with the sides matching one another identically at this World Cup.
After failing to score a goal in either of their first two games, Mexico needed an offensive explosion on Wednesday, and to some degree they got one. Their 2.10 expected goals were more than double their outputs from games no. 1 (0.72 vs Poland) and 2 (0.27 vs Argentina), combined.
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Henry Martin got Mexico on the board just two minutes after halftime, turning home Cesar Montes’ flick of a corner kick at the near post. Five minutes later, it was 2-0 after Luis Chavez smashed a dipping free kick home from 32 yards out.
As Mexico pushed more and more numbers forward in pursuit of the third goal that would send them through to the knockout rounds for an 8th straight World Cup appearance, El Tri were hit on the counter-attack. Salem Al Dawsari’s stoppage-time consolation goal was the final, decisive blow.
Henry Martin fires Mexico into the lead over Saudi Arabia! #FIFAWorldCup
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 30, 2022
🎥: @TelemundoSportspic.twitter.com/RjWCrfxiOV
SENSATIONAL by Luis Chavez! 🔥
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 30, 2022
Mexico are tied with Poland on points, and only a goal behind on Goal Difference. #FIFAWorldCup
(via @TelemundoSports) pic.twitter.com/y4gzTIq0Wv
[ MORE: Latest Group C standings, schedule, scores ]
How to watch Saudi Arabia vs Mexico live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 2pm ET, Wednesday Nov. 30
Stadium: Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail
TV channels en Español: Telemundo
Streaming en Español: Peacock (all 64 matches)
Key storylines, players to watch closely
The Saudis have arguably been the most fun team at the tournament amongst non-powers, always running and getting exceptional goalkeeping. Salem Al-Dawsari was very good in both games but his missed penalty before halftime against Poland looms large of a match that could’ve been 1-1 going to the break and instead ended 2-0.
Mexico has not scored at the tournament so far, and Raul Jimenez has only been used as a super sub. Hirving Lozano and Alexis Vega combined for just three shot attempts before being subbed out of the Poland loss, while Lozano and Henry Martin combined for two versus Poland (Vega attempted five). They need better up top to keep up their streak of making Round of 16 appearances at the World Cup.
Saudi Arabia quick facts
Current FIFA world ranking: 51
World Cup titles: 0
World Cup appearances: 5
How they qualified: Qualified automatically from AFC (Won Group B)
Coach: Herve Renard
Key players: Salem Al-Dawsari, Fahad Al-Muwallad, Mohammed Al-Owais
📋⎪Line-up
— Saudi National Team (@SaudiNT_EN) November 30, 2022
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia 🆚 Mexico 🇲🇽
#GreenFalcons pic.twitter.com/Prf7USrKcS
Mexico quick facts
Current FIFA world ranking: 13
World Cup titles: 0
World Cup appearances: 16
How they qualified: Qualified automatically from CONCACAF (2nd place)
Coach: Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino
Key players: Guillermo Ochoa, Hector Herrera, Raul Jimenez
👥 #MEX 👥
— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) November 30, 2022
Here are tonight’s starters for 🇸🇦🆚🇲🇽. 😤💚#Qatar2022 | #MéxicoDeMiVida pic.twitter.com/u1UOcbmvAx