Mexico was eliminated in the first phase of the World Cup in Qatar 2022, despite having won its match 1-2 against Saudi Arabia. In the end, the Polish team, which lost 0-2 to Argentina, was in second position for the best goal difference.
The ‘Tri’ goals were scored by Henry Martin at 47 and Luis Chávez with an impressive free kick, but a goal from Saudi Arabia in discount ended the dream of ‘Tata’ Martino.
Mexico believed in making a heroic feat, but got stuck in its greatest duty during this World Cup: the goal. He lived 23 minutes staying out of the World Cup in Qatar 2022 having received more cards than Poland, although he ended up giving up due to the lack of aim and a goal from Saudi Arabia in the minute 90 + 5 that ruined all the effort of the ‘tri’ .
Both teams needed victory, although only the Mexican team seemed to really caresince the Saudis, who had massive support from the stands, where each duel won was celebrated as a goal, opted to slow down the match after each clash or in each throw-in.
Curious because at the same time in attack they tried to string together a combination game that seemed above their possibilities, losing the few occasions in which they could hurt ‘Memo’ Ochoa. A foul on the edge of the area and a header that went wide, both opportunities signed by Kanno, his only danger options.
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On the contrary, ‘Tata’ Martino came up with the plan that he drew in his head regarding the game, but 384 minutes without scoring in a World Cup are not added for nothing. Depth by bands with two very incisive full-backs like Jesús Gallardo and Jorge Sánchez; an incisor, and imprecise in the three shots of the first half, Orbelín Pineda, being everything that the coach asked of Héctor Herrera and that it was not during Qatar 2022; and Vega and Hirving providing dynamism, but the same thing was still missing, and fundamental: the goal.
The first 45 minutes in which, without great football, there was more back and forth, but with nothing to celebrate beyond the penalty that Leo Messi missed in the other group game, which caused the joy of the Saudi fans. But it did not last long.
Both encounters were connected. In the second minute of the Poland-Argentina game, the albiceleste took the lead, and Mexico did the same, also in the 47th minute, thanks to a goal from Henry Martin from a corner kick after a spur extension from César Montes at the near post.
A goal that completely changed the landscape of the game. The ‘tri’ saw the door again 442 minutes later and this filled her with confidence. Luis Chávez made it 0-2 in minute 52 with a great shot from a direct free kick. And Mexico, against all odds, believed against a Saudi Arabia that, now yes, had to look for goals and fell apart behind.
At this point, the ‘tri’ needed one more goal to not depend on anyone and be in the round of 16. ‘Chucky’ Lozano had his moment of glory in minute 56, but his goal was annulled due to a very fair offside.
Argentina, meanwhile, lent them a hand putting the 0-2, but equal points and goals scored, the one that went to the round of 16 was Poland, having seen three cards -7 to 5- less than Mexico. Classify you or not, based on the criteria of sportsmanship. It was close to passing.
Yes indeed, Mexico did everything possible so that this was not the criteria, but, once again, the lack of aim condemned them. A distant shot from Pineda, a shot inside the area by Antuna in the 77th minute that Hassan Tambakti saved by diving to the ground with his goalkeeper already outmatched.
Nor did the ‘tri’ have any luck against a Saudi Arabia for whom the ball did not last very long. Antuna and all of Mexico celebrated the 3-0, but it was annulled for offside. In the anarchy in which the Saudis moved, they shattered the dream of Mexico.
With those of ‘Tata’ overturned, a fantasy action from Saudi Arabia arrived that ended everything. Bahbrei wall with Al Dawsari and he put a 1-2 that was useless to be in the round of 16.
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