Mexico needed little less than a miracle, they pursued it insistently throughout the entire game, they were on the verge of achieving it, but they never had it in their hands. He always lacked a goal or had a couple of cards left over. In the end, a goal from Saudi Arabia in the 95th minute shattered all the illusions of the Tri and classified Poland as second despite their defeat against Argentina. Mexico had eight consecutive World Cups getting into the round of 16, a streak that ended tonight in the most dramatic way possible.
For Arabia the meeting was also a great disappointment. Victory was enough for Hervé Renard's team, but the match was very long and the fatigue was noticeable. Hervé Renard's team is very physical and the engine failed at the worst moment. All in all, Arabia leaves the tournament with its head held high. Nobody can take them away since they staged the great surprise of this first phase with their victory against Argentina.
Although Mexico always carried the weight of the game, the first part was relatively even, with chances for both teams, the Mexicans being clearer.
But the second half was dominated by Mexico's overwhelming dominance, which soon put the game back on track, but did not qualify. Soon it was 2-0 and with the two goals from Argentina against Poland, it was tied on points and goals difference with the Poles. For many minutes the classification between Mexico and Poland was determined by the number of cards and the Poles won because the Mexicans of Tata Martino had five to seven.
Mexico had scored after 47 minutes from a corner taken by Lozano, an extension by César Montes and a shot by Henry Martín. The second goal came after 53 minutes from a direct free kick from 25 meters by Luis Chávez.
Al Tri had a little over half an hour left to complete his feat or receive new foreign aid in the form of a goal from the albiceleste. Something like this had only been seen in a World Cup between Senegal and Japan and then the fair play had classified the Japanese team.
He attacked with all of Mexico before a failing Arabia. Al Tri had plenty of desire but his clarity failed him in the last pass. Nerves made his imprecise shots. In minute 60 a goal was annulled for an offside of centimeters.
Henry Martín and Lozano continued wasting chances until the end. The Arabian goalkeeper became the best player of his team. The Var denied a possible penalty from Arabia and in 86 another goal was disallowed for Mexico, this time against Antuna.
In the midst of tremendous suffering, with Mexico desperate and unprotected in defense, Arabia counterattacked at minute 95 and Al Dawsari brought the ball into the net in a point-blank shot that beat Ochoa. It was the end of the history of Mexico and Arabia in Qatar. Both teams ended up eliminated, with their players on the ground, exhausted but with their pride intact. Soccer is also about this.
