With Group A and Group B in the books, it was Group C and D's turn to sort out who would be advancing to the World Cup knockout round on Wednesday. For Mexico, their 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia wasn't enough to overcome their goal differential deficit against Poland. Lionel Messi and Argentina downed Robert Lewandowski's Poland 2-0 meaning that Argentina wins Group C and Poland advance in second place For much of the match it looked like the fair play tiebreaker would be the deciding factor with Mexico and Poland equal on points, goal differential and goals scored, but a late Saudi Arabia goal sealed the deal and dropped Mexico behind Poland. Mexico failed to reach the knockout rounds for the first time since 1978. Poland are through to the final 16 on better goal differential.
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Before that, in Group D Tunisia won 1-0 against France while Australia won 1-0 against Denmark. France, despite losing the match, will advance after winning the group stage while Australia managed to win and will play again in the Round of 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 2006, and only the second time in their history. Denmark ended up last in the group after a very disappointing campaign.
| GROUP C | MP | W-D-L | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina (group winners) | 3 | 2-1-0 | +3 | 6 |
| Poland (group runners-up) | 3 | 1-1-1 | 0 | 4 |
| Mexico (eliminated) | 3 | 1-1-1 | -1 | 4 |
| Saudi Arabia (eliminated) | 3 | 1-0-2 | -2 | 3 |
| GROUP D | MP | W-D-L | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France (group winners) | 3 | 2-0-1 | +3 | 6 |
| Australia (group runners-up) | 3 | 2-0-1 | -1 | 6 |
| Tunisia (eliminated) | 3 | 1-1-1 | 0 | 4 |
| Denmark (eliminated) | 3 | 0-1-2 | -2 | 1 |
Wednesday, Nov. 30
Tunisia 1, France 0
Australia 1, Denmark 0
Poland 0 vs. Argentina 2
Saudi Arabia 1, Mexico 2
El Tri finally break through on goal this World Cup but make a different kind of history as the first Mexican side to be eliminated from the knockout rounds since 1978.
It's Chavez over the ball again and the ball is played short and defended away by Saudi Arabia. Mexico running out of time now..
Mexico remain heavy on the hunt for a third goal. With Argentina leading Poland 2-0 at the 70th minute, a 2-0 lead over Saudi Arabia is not enough for Mexico. If the scorelines remain El Tri would be eliminated based on the fair play rule (yellow card accumulation) and Poland and Argentina advance.
52' Chavez with a second goal for Mexico! Off another set piece for El Tri, Chaves bends the ball over the wall of defenders and into the upper bins for the goal. It is his first international goal. Game is wide open now.
47' El Tri win a corner after back to back looks in the final third. The service is flicked and Henry Martin is there to tap in the goal!! 1-0 early in the second half here.
Last chance of the half goes to Saudi Arabia as Al-Ghanam whips a cross in and Al-Hassan gets a head on it. The header is just wide of the far post. Still scoreless at halftime for both teams, Mexico with more shots (11) and total attempts on target (3) but just cannot find the back of the net this World Cup.
40' Mexico trying to make the most of their set pieces late in the half. Mexico keeps possetion after a free kick and Pineda takes a shot within the box, but the ball takes a deflection for a corner. Nothing comes from the corner as Saudi Arabia gets back on the ball.
36' Two players over the ball in the corner and it's Vega who sends in the delivery. Gallardo is unmarked in the box and has the space to take an extra touch but opts for the shot instead and it sails over the bar.
25' Mexico recycle a ball back in after retaining possession in the final third. Pineda gets a look on goal inside the box as two defenders collapse in coverage. A deflected shot finds its way straight to the keeper. Still scoreless after 25 minutes here.
16' Edson Álvarez picks up the first yellow card of the match after a stand up challenge on Tambakti. He argues that it's his first foul but the official saw enough for the caution.
12' Early dangerous free kick for Saudi Arabia here. Salem and Kanno are over the ball to take it, but it's Kanno who takes it and his attempt takes a dip but not by much. Just over the bar and Mexico are back at it on the attack.
Mexico keeping up the pressure and this time it's Martin crashing the goal. Some nervy moments for the Saudi Arabia defense but the ball is out for a goal kick. Saudi Arabia takes advantage of the goal kick to go the opposite way but an attempt on goal is long and wide of the target.
4' Mexico quickly try to go the opposite way after Saudi Arabia take shot on Ochoa. It's a good ball through that Vega nearly gets behind but his attempt on the ball is snuffed out by Saudi keeper Al-Owais.
Opening two minutes and Mexico has been on the ball. Chavez lets one rip from distance that trails just wide of the post. Will likely see both sides spend some time end to end as they both want all three points today.
We are about 15 minutes away from kick off. So, let's have some fun with a prediction! Both teams will be on the hunt for all three points and that will lead to some exciting open action between them. Mexico will finally score at the World Cup but it will be too little and too late. Pick: Mexico 2, Saudi Arabia 1
Mexico: Tata Martino's group are starring down the barrel of elimination and Mexico's worst World Cup finish in decades. The team has reached the knockout rounds in seven consecutive World Cup tournaments. That streak is in danger of ending and a lack of goal scoring will be partially to blame. The team is scoreless in two previous group matches and faces a must-win scenario against Saudi Arabia. Hirving Lozano has been making the runs while Alexi Vega has been lurking in support, but to zero results in goal. Raul Jimenez was added as an attacking option while still nursing an injury and there is no more time to waste for El Tri, they need meaningful minutes out of the forward.
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia's opening group win over Argentina has helped set the stage for a chaotic finish to Group C. Three points would secure a spot in the round of 16, and draw is only favorable if Poland defeat Argentina by three goals. A place in knockout rounds would be only the second time for the country after an appearance in 1994. Head coach Hervé Renard has been forced into adjustments for this game after midfielder Abdulelah Al-Malki picked up his second yellow card in the loss to Poland. That means it's an opportunity for Ali Al-Hassan to step up in position.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup continues as Saudi Arabia and Mexico square off in the final round of group play at Lusail Stadium in Qatar on Wednesday. The two teams are still eligible to advance out of the group with different scenarios. Saudi Arabia are currently in third place with three points, while Mexico is in last place with one point. Both teams will enter the match in a must-win mindset, as three points and some added help during Poland vs. Argentina is the path forward to the round of 16.
Saudi Arabia: Al-Owais, Tambakti, Al-Amri, Al-Bulayhi, Al-Ghanam, Al-Hassan, Kanno, Abdulhamid, Al-Buraikan, Al-Shehri, Salem Al-Dawsari.
Mexico: Ochoa, Sanchez, Montes, Moreno, Gallardo, Alvarez, Chavez, Lozano, Pineda, Vega, Martin.
Here's how to watch today's game between Saudi Arabia and Mexico. Big odds for Saudi Arabia!
Hello and welcome to Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico. I'm Sandra Herrera and I'll be here providing live updates of today's match.
Griezmann's late strike wiped out. Khazri and Tunisia go home, despite winning. The French and Australia advance.
Stunning at the death. Griezmann rescued the defending champions only to be denied by VAR.
Australia won 1-0 against Denmark and qualify to the next stage of the World Cup. A very special day for the Socceroos fans that will see their team to play in the Round of 16 of the competition for the first time since 2006.
Denmark need to score two goals here if they want to make it, but until now they barely had a single chance in the second half. Australia are defending really well.
Deschamps sends Mbappe, Rabiot, and Saliba on as Les Bleus look to hit back and remain unbeaten. They have some work on to save this one as they have looked distinctly average with this rotated XI.
Right after the goal scored by Tunisia, Australia managed to score the opening goal of the match with a nice play of Mathew Leckie and Australia are now ahead! Socceroos need to keep the current result and the will be qualified to the next round.
Khazri opens the scoring! Laidouni teed up the Montpellier man who still had plenty to do before sliding the ball beyond Mandanda. The Tunisians' first goal of the tournament. What a time to get it! Khazri, like Embolo, scoring against his country of birth for his adopted international team. As things stand, the Eagles of Carthage are advancing, or are they?
Both games have resumed. 45 minutes to go!
The Eagles of Carthage are most certainly still in this and could get lucky in the second half if they keep creating chances. France look far less assured given how many changes Deschamps went for. Could there be a shock on the cards? Do not rule it out based on that opening 45 minutes.
