FIFA World Cup 2022: Long after the final whistle, Luis Chavez crumpled on the ground in agony. He just scored in Mexico’s frantic bid to stay alive at the World Cup but failed to win 2-1 against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (November 30).
Mexico failed to get out of their group for the first time since 1978 as Argentina beat Poland 2-0 in the concurrent match. “We have a chance to qualify,” Chavez said wryly. “We didn’t make it.” Mexico has reached the knockout round in the last seven World Cups, second only to Brazil, who reached the round of 16 in 1986.
A win at the El Tri Lucile Stadium and a helping hand from Poland playing across town is essential. Against Argentina to lead Argentina in FIFA World Cup 2022 Group C. Argentina won on goal difference – and Mexico didn’t have enough of them.
Henry Martin gave El Tri hope in the 48th minute, and Chavez’s chances improved four minutes later when Chavez scored on a free kick. Mexico tried hard to get another goal in the final 20 minutes – Uriel Antuna’s 87th-minute effort was ruled offside – but came up just short.
“We needed another goal. I don’t know exactly what happened at the end,” said veteran Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, playing in his fifth World Cup. “For us, the goal is to score three or four goals. It’s a shame.”
Salem Aldawsari scored in second-half stoppage time for Saudi Arabia, which along with Mexico was eliminated despite beating Argentina in its opener. Martin’s goal ended Mexico’s 431-minute scoring drought at the World Cup, dating back to their second group match at the 2018 tournament in Russia.
The team’s longest stretch without a goal in the tournament. This. Mexico opened the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Poland in Qatar and lost 2-0 to Lionel Messi and Argentina. Mexico had not made it out of the group stage since the World Cup in Argentina 44 years ago.
El Tri did not qualify for the 1982 World Cup in Spain and was under 20 Banned from the event in Italy in 1990 for using overage players in the tournament. “I have to say that I am responsible for this colossal failure,” said Mexico coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino.
Mexico has reached the round of 16 in its last seven appearances – but not the next. 1986 Mexico Tour El Tri come to Qatar to play in the elusive “Quinto Partido” – the fifth game for the first time since hosting Name.
Saudi Arabia suffered their biggest defeat of the tournament when they beat Argentina 2-1. . But the Green Falcons failed to pull off another surprise as they lost 2-0 to Poland in their second match. The Saudis reached the round of 16 back in 1994, the team’s World Cup debut, but have not advanced past the group stage since.
“It was hard to breathe with the intensity that Mexico put into the match tonight,” said Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard. Most of the Saudi squad was also in the squad that went to the 2018 World Cup. But no one plays outside their home country.
Twelve players are on the list with Al Hilal, who have won a record 18 Saudi league championships.
