Mexico and Poland settled for a scoreless draw on Tuesday. Mexico dominated possession of the ball and tried to attack out wide, featuring their wingers running at Poland's back line, while Poland was content to absorb pressure in an effort to quickly counter. Winger Hirving Lozano provided strong service on the flanks but was unable to create a magic moment.
The moment of the match came in the 58th minute when Poland's Robert Lewandowski was pulled down in the box. Mexico's hero of the moment, however, was Guillermo Ochoa after the goalkeeper made a big penalty save on Lewandowski attempt from the spot. Lewandowski is still on the hunt for his first goal in a World Cup.
The two teams were unable to capitalize on an opportunity to stake their place in Group C despite the door being blown open earlier in the day Saudia Arabia upset Argentina moving the Saudi's on top of the group after the group all completed their first matches.
Lack of a true nine on Mexico's roster loomed larger than ever for El Tri as Mexico was able to control possession and spend time in dangerous spaces on the pitch but the final touch or pass was lacking for the team throughout the entirety of the match. Alexia Vega had multiple chances to get the breakthrough goal for Mexico, including this attempt in the 26th minute.
Vega, who made his World Cup debut with El Tri, was a suitable option opposite Lozano throughout the match. But the lack of a center target was an issue for the team as the game went on. Lozano's efforts out wide were filled with potential, but never had support, as an older midfield struggled at times to keep up with the duo after the first 45 minutes.
The biggest moment of the game was a standoff between Ochoa and Lewandowski. A foul by Hector Moreno on Lewandowski inside the box was initially a no-call. The center official, however, was alerted to the incident by VAR and upon further review of the cameras, a penalty was confirmed and a yellow was issued to Moreno.
Lewandowski, the all-time leading goal scorer for Poland, has never scored a goal in the World Cup. The opportunity to check off that box in his illustrious career seemed imminent. Lewandowski's penalty history is evenly divided in attempts to either side making him extremely difficult to anticipate against. The problem for Lewandowski is that he was posting up against another legend in Ochoa on the other side of the penalty spot.
Ochoa's save was the massive moment of the game, and nearly had the feel of a turning point for Mexico, but El Tri were unable to turn the momentum of the moment into any meaning full offense in the final third. The penalty stop was ultimately a game-saving moment for Mexico's place in the group. If they continue to fail with the ball at their feet, it likely means that Ochoa will have to save the team with his hands in future games.
After Saudia Arabia stunned Argentina, and the world, with a massive upset to open day three, Group C seemed prime for more chaos on the day. But Mexico and Poland never had the feel of two teams desperate to stake their claim in a now wide-open group up for grabs. El Tri had a strong opening half hour trying to dominate wide areas, while Poland were careful in their timing to pursue any counterattacks.
The brief window of opportunity appeared to be almost too much pressure as neither team appeared particularly over frantic despite there being stretches of the game when there were chances in the final third. As the game ticked past the 70th minute, neither side wanted to be the team to take a risk. The outcome of a scoreless draw seemed fair, even if flat for a group begging for more chaos.
After the big win by Saudia Arabia to flip the group upside down, both managers failed to shift game plans or make adjustments to earn all three points, and that complacency may come back to haunt the two teams in future matches as they fight to determine who exits the group.
Group C will continue on Saturday, November 26. Argentina will face Mexico, and Poland will play Saudi Arabia. Mexico has a chance to eliminate Argentina, while Saudi Arabia can seal a place in Group C with a win or draw against Poland if Argentina fails to win against Mexico.
Both teams were unable to capitalize on a moment to stake their claim in group C. Split the points as Saudia Arabia is currently in first place, while Mexico and Poland settle for second and third. Argentina currently holds last place, with the next phase of games to take place on Saturday.
80' Game is still scoreless with 10 minutes left in regulation. Jimenez subbed on shortly after the 70th minute but have still slowed down a bit. Vega tries a chance from distance but the ball drifts out of play.
Game approaching 70 minutes and Tata Martinez has yet to utilize his subs. Mexico has been covering a lot of ground with their possession, have to imagine a sub will come soon.
Vega fouled out wide and a free kick is played into the box, but the ball drifts out for a goal kick. Still scoreless after an hour in the game.
Chucky Lozano has been the active man of the match thus far for Mexico. Can he create the magic moment?
Vega fouled in the box and no call given. The coaching staff likely reacting to the lack of review.
58' Lewandowski is STOPPED! by Ochoa from the spot. The Polish striker is still in pursuit of his first-ever World Cup goal.
56' The center official confirms with VAR and a yellow has been issued to Moreno for a foul on Lewandowski inside the box.
Contact in the box on Lewandowski is under review for a possible penatly.
An early foul on Lewandowski leads to the first set piece of the second half. The play is flat and Mexico is back to possessing without looking particularly dangerous.
Mexico with more of the ball and time in the final third, and Poland sitting back and looking to counter. Lewandowski a non-factor so far, but Mexico is without a defined lethal threat in front of goal and it shows in the scoreline at halftime.
43' Mexico on the attack in the final minutes of the first half. Winning the ball in the final third, and Lozano sending in more crosses. Can they break through before halftime?
39' Lozano shakes off Zieliński, and sends a good pass through the box. The ball is recycled around for another go-round, but a long ball back to Ochoa ultimately fizzles out any more attack.
Both teams have settled a bit now after a half hour. Mexico is holding onto the ball more as Poland continues to pick and chose their moments of pressure. Lots of long runs for Mexico in the opening half hour, and the team is settling into a high press for now.
28' Sanchez recives the first Yellow card of the game and its a free kick in a dangerous position for Poland. Play occurred after Mexico had another good sequence in Poland's final third. Mexico's defends away the danger, and Ochoca puts the ball back in play.
26' Vega in another good position to try and get the breakthrough! He's marked by Matty Cash as the ball is passed through the box by Herrera. Vega gets a body on it but it trickles out wide.
21' Poland is shouting at the official for a call as Martin commits to a high boot near the top of the box. The Offical says there's nothing there to warrant a call.
17' Sanchez has a turnover for Mexico, and Poland quickly try to counter but the attack gets snuffed out and Mexico attempt to generate the opposite direction. El Tri are ruled offside before trying to recycle the ball once more.
12' Mexico plays a corner short and the ball gets recycled around the top of the box. Chavez sends a lofty ball into the box, and Moreno makes contact but the ball is over the bar for a goal kick.
8' Mexico concede a pair of early corners to Poland. Not a good game plan to try and limit Lewandowski who is magical on headers. The two corners are defended away, Glik collides with Montes and both players are back on pitch for Ochoa's goal kick.
5' Lozano on the ball and he dribbles near the endline before getting a strong cross off towards a darting Vega making an alternate run. But the ball is too much and out for a goal kick.
Some early contact between both sides here. Mexico with an early free kick in the middle third, and Lozano with some shoving on the sidelines minutes later that leads to a Poland throw-in.
Mexico rolling out in their 4-2-3-1, while Poland lines up with five in the back in a 5-3-2. The wings will need to be massive for Mexico if they want the early break through.
Absolute bangers for both country's and their anthems here. Lots of emotions in the stands and on the pitch with players expressing their emotions through their respective national anthems.
Mexico boss Gerardo Martino is 59 years old, which makes him the seventh-oldest manager at the
competition. Since his appointment in January 2019, the Argentine has overseen 63 games. He has an
impressive record over that period, with his side winning 41 matches, drawing 11 and only losing 11.
Martino has a number of honours to his name - his most impressive being with Mexico, when he won the Gold Cup in 2019 (though lost the final in 2021). He also won the Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona during his short tenure there. Additionally, the Rosario native lifted the MLS Cup with Atalanta United in 2018.
El Tri's manager has never coached a nation during the World Cup before - but he does have tournament
experience, as he was at the helm of Argentina from 2014 to 2016. During that period, he led Argentina to the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals, but they lost to Chile on penalties on both occasions.
There has been some criticism of Mexico's style of football since their Gold Cup win, so patience could wear thin if the CONCACAF nation do not produce results during the group stage.
Czesław Michniewicz is 52 years old and the 16th-oldest manager at the tournament.
The Poland boss only took over in January of this year, as previous manager Saulo Sousa left to become
manager of South American giants Flamengo.
As a result, he has overseen just nine matches, with a mixed record. He has won four, drawn two and lost
three, but managed to achieve that all-important play-off victory against Sweden. The former goalkeeper has gained some silverware in Poland - most recently winning the Polish Ekstraklasa with Legia Warsaw in 2020/2021.
The narrative going into the World Cup is that Michniewicz has an extremely hard job on his hands, and that
reaching the knockout rounds would be a success for such a newly-appointed manager.
Mexico will begin its World Cup with Raul Jimenez on the bench.
13- Ochoa; 19-Sanchez, 3-Montes, 15-Moreno, 23-Gallardo; 16-Herrera, 4-Alvarez, 24-Chavez; 22-Lozano, 20-Martin, 10-Vega.
