Henry Martin and Luis Chavez Score Consecutive Goals but Saudi Arabia Scores a Consolation Goal
Tied on Points with Poland, Eliminated from Group Stage for the First Time in 44 Years Due to Goal Difference
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The strong team Mexico's advancement to the Round of 16 in the World Cup was thwarted.
On the 1st (Korean time), Mexico won 2-1 against Saudi Arabia in the final match of Group C in the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup group stage held at Lusail Iconic Stadium in Qatar.
At the same time, in the match between Poland and Argentina, Argentina also scored consecutive goals by Alexis Mac Allister in the 46th minute and Juli?n ?lvarez in the 67th minute, defeating Poland 2-0.
With the victory over Saudi Arabia, Mexico tied with Poland at 4 points with 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss. However, Mexico's goal difference was -1 with 2 goals scored and 3 conceded, while Poland had a goal difference of 0 with 2 goals scored and 2 conceded, resulting in Mexico's failure to advance to the Round of 16.
In the match, Mexico continued their hopes for the Round of 16 with consecutive goals by Henry Mart?n in the 47th minute and Luis Ch?vez in the 52nd minute. However, in the 95th minute of stoppage time, Saudi's Salem Al-Dawsari scored a consolation goal, ending the match 2-1. Ultimately, that last consolation goal cost Mexico their advancement.
Mexico showed an unstable performance from the group stage in this World Cup. They drew 0-0 against Poland in the first match. Then, in the second match against Argentina, they suffered a 0-2 defeat, conceding one goal and one assist to Lionel Messi.
Determined to recover, Mexico had to win unconditionally against Saudi Arabia in the third match and wait for the results between Argentina and Poland.
Against Saudi Arabia, Mexico dominated the first half but failed to score. In the second half, consecutive goals shook the Saudi goal net. Montes connected a corner kick to the opposite side, and Mart?n shot it into the net, scoring Mexico's opening goal in the 47th minute.
Continuing their momentum, Mexico intensified their attack. To secure not only the victory but also a superior goal difference, Mexico scored an additional goal. In the 52nd minute, from a free kick earned due to a foul by Saudi Arabia, Ch?vez successfully executed a surprise left-footed direct shot, making the score 2-0.
Not stopping there, Mexico continued their attack and scored another goal in the 55th minute, but it was ruled offside.
Saudi Arabia also launched a counterattack. In the 95th minute of stoppage time, Salem Al-Dawsari scored a consolation goal, causing Mexico's hopes of advancing to the Round of 16 to collapse.
Mexico failed to advance past the group stage for the first time in a World Cup since failing to qualify for the 1982 Spain World Cup finals. This marks their first group stage elimination in 44 years since the 1978 Argentina World Cup.
Argentina, who advanced as the first place in Group C, will face Australia, the second place in Group D, while Poland, the second place in Group C, will play against France, the first place in Group D and the defending champion.
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