In both Saudi Arabia and Mexico, the passion splashed with the national anthems and that turned out to be a foretaste for a thrilling initial phase. The clock showed less than three minutes when Mexico almost scored. Vega was brought alone in front of Al-Owais, but the excellent goalkeeper was able to prevent the 0-1.
It gave the swirling atmosphere in the Lusail stadium an extra boost. Mexico thrived best in those conditions and pulled the sheet. An alert Al-Owais took the sting out of a dangerous Mexican attack more than once with anticipatory play. Saudi Arabia was also not unaffected, a free kick by Kanno narrowly went over.
Most of the danger continued to come from Mexico. Pineda pushed hardest, but it didn’t go well. Al-Owais went flat on his low slider, Al-Ghanam unknowingly blocked his header and a third attempt went just wide.
Also in the second half, Mexico pushed the accelerator from the start, Al-Owais immediately had to show his ability on a distant blast from Chavez. Shortly afterwards, the message trickled in that Argentina was ahead against Poland. The signal for Mexico to score itself. Montes extended a corner kick to Martin and it hit from close range.
The shame of a goalless World Cup had been avoided for the Mexicans, but they wanted more. Barely five minutes after the opening goal, Chavez made it 0-2 with a wonderful free kick. Suddenly, Mexico not only had as many points as Poland, it was also only one goal away from an equal goal difference.
A goal by Lozano was rightly rejected for offside, but Argentina helped the Mexicans with a second goal against Poland. The fair play ranking or the number of yellow cards now decided who could go to the 1/8th finals with the Argentinians and Poland had the best cards there.
Mexico went all out and blew a powerless Saudi Arabia over in the hunt for the liberating third goal. Martin had a great chance, but his volley went over. Al-Owais then stood right on another fine free kick from Chavez.
Mexico kept spilling the odds, Pineda and Antuna also refused to finish. Even a late goal against Saudi Arabia changed little.
With a third goal, Mexico was through thanks to a better goal difference than Poland, but there was not enough time for a liberating third Mexican goal.
