Poland will join Argentina in the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup after the Mexicans failed to imporve their goal difference sufficiently to leapfrog Robert Lewandowski’s team on Wednesday night. Despite leading Saudi Arabia 2-0 and needing just one more goal, the Central Marican nation ran out of steam, conceded a late goal and saw their Qatari dream end cruelly.Mexico and Saudi Arabia both had chances to qualify and you could tell by watching the match. However, the two sides cancelled each other out in the opening 45 minutes, with clear-cut chances very few.For the first time in 4⃣4⃣ years, Mexico are eliminated in the World Cup group stages ❌#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/UbLGZeDkp5— Eurosport (@eurosport) November 30, 2022 But the game blossomed after the break. Just as Argentina opened the scoring against Poland in the group’s other match, Mexican forward Henry Martin bundled the ball over the line just two minutes into the second half to give Gerardo Martino’s team the lead. Suddenly, the only thing keeping Mexico from reaching that desired second spot was their inferior goal-difference compared to that of Poland. They needed to score more or hope Poland would concede more. So they kept pushing.The moment Lewandowski found out Poland we’re going through to the Round of 16 for the first time since 1986 🇵🇱Look at what it means ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Cisxhe8xaT— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 30, 2022 Luis Chavez couldn’t have picked a better moment to score his first international goal. He rifled in a stunning long-range free kick, leaving goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais with no chance.And then, with just over 20 minutes left in both matches, Poland conceded another goal. At that point, Poland and Mexico had the same number of points, the same goal difference and the same number of scored goals. Poland were ahead – because their players received three yellow cards fewer in their three matches. There were echoes of Senegal’s unfortunate 2018 campaign when Japan qualified for the knockout stage on yellow cards.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 El Tri continued to push forward and kept creating chances against the Saudis, who have seemingly lost all interest in the match. Mexican fans, meanwhile, looked at their phones, praying for Argentina to score at least one more goal and let them off the hook.Mexico had two disallowed goals due to offside. Late drama unfolded as Uriel Antuna celebrated his goal only to see the linesman’s flag up. The clock ran down – including seven minutes off added time.WORLD CUPGroup stageWednesday, Nov 30thTunisia – France 1-0 (0-0)/Khazri 58/Australia – Denmark 1-0 (0-0)/Leckie 60/Argentina – Poland 2-0 (0-0)/Mac Allister 46, Alvarez 67/Saudi Arabia – Mexico 1-2 (0-0)/Al Dawsari 90+5 – Martin 47, Chavez 52/Thursday, Dec 1st18:00: (3.80) Croatia (3.45) Belgium (2.00) F18:00: (3.45) Canada (3.15) Morocco (2.25) F22:00: (8.50) Japan (4.80) Spain (1.37) E22:00: (12.0) Costa Rica (6.50) Germany (1.23) EFriday, Dec 2nd18:00: (8.00) S.Korea (4.50) Portugal (1.42) H18:00: (4.80) Ghana (3.45) Uruguay (1.80) H22:00: (11.0) Cameroon (5.20) Brazil (1.30) G22:00: (2.60) Serbia (3.40) Switzerland (2.70) G***odds are subject to change***
