No Game Five, Not Even A Game Four: Mexico Dumped Out In Brutal Fashion

They beat Saudi Arabia 2-1, but both sides crash out at the group stage
21:27, 30 Nov 2022

Despite a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia, Mexico are out at the group stage having been within one goal, or two Poland yellow cards, of the next round and are left to deal with their first group stage exit since 1978.  

Mexico have been obsessed with quinto partido - ‘game five’ for 36 years. In the last seven consecutive World Cups, El Tri have been dumped out in the last 16. This year in Qatar, they have fallen short of even their usual game four, after one of the closest and most exciting finishes we have ever seen. 

A second half storm saw Mexico fly into a two goal lead thanks to a tap-in from Henry Martin and the goal of the tournament so far, Luis Chavez’s long-range free-kick. With Poland two goals down against Argentina, the two teams were level on all metrics, except yellow cards. 

Tata Martino, loudly booed by his own Mexican fans ahead of kick-off, threw everything forward as his side desperately scrapped to find a goal, but then they were caught out in the 95th minute by a Saudi Arabian sucker-punch. 

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This was a different Mexico than what we have seen so far in Qatar. The Lusail Stadium was packed full of Saudi Arabia fans but Mexico should have gone ahead through Vega in the opening moments. He was played in perfectly but saw his one on one effort parried by Mohammed Al Owais. 

Jesus Gallardo whipped in a stunning cross to no avail. Mexico were yet to score a goal in this year’s World Cup but were throwing bodies forward without restraint from the first whistle. 

Edson Alvarez’s left-footed effort from 18 yards was deflected just wide and there was an awful lot of huffing and puffing from a side that were desperate to find a goal. Saudi Arabia were happy to play on the  break and in the final minute of first half added on time, Ali Al Hassan met a cross with a wonderful diving header that just missed the far post. One attack brought the crowd to life before the break and they went in level, but in the knowledge that one goal would be crucial. 

Henry Martin made a phenomenal move in the box from a corner and the ball was flicked onto him by Henry Martin, and he met it from close range to drive the ball in. Moments before, Alexis Mac Allister had put Argentina ahead which gave Mexico a sniff, but they still needed a two goal swing.

They were then awarded a free-kick and from 35 yards out, Chavez stepped up and fired the ball into the top corner. It was only the second direct free-kick scored at this tournament after Marcus Rashford and Chavez had never previously scored for his country, but boy was it worth the wait. Finally, Mexico had arrived at the World Cup party and they looked a completely different side to the stale outfit we have seen in the first two matches. 

Lozano had the ball in the net for a third but it was ruled out for offside, and they only needed one goal to do what they always do, and qualify for the last 16. 

Or did they? The news filtered through that Julian Alvarez had scored Argentina’s second that took Mexico level on points, goal difference, goals scored and goals conceded with Poland. With just over 20 minutes to go, Mexico were heading out of the World Cup based on the fact they’d picked up more yellow cards than Poland. 

Martin volleyed over from close range before Chavez nearly pinged in another free-kick. Lozano then broke clear and was fouled on the edge of the box to give Chavez another go but he could only hit the wall. Uriel Antuna had the ball in the net but was flagged offside and five minutes into injury time Saudi Arabia struck. Salem Al Dawsari played a nice one two on the edge of the area and then found the finish to break Mexican hearts. 

No game four, no game five. Mexico and Saudi Arabia, crash out in the group stage. 

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