Mexico out of World Cup – Three minutes into Mexico’s final group game against Saudi Arabia, it appeared as though its only genuine opportunity to compete in the 2022 FIFA World Cup had already passed.
Forward When Alexis Vega gained possession of the ball and had the goalkeeper to beat, El Tri’s chance for an incredible, legendary comeback was revived. He failed to overcome the keeper. He failed to succeed.
Hope was all that was left, and even that looked lost.
Perhaps that approach would have been more gentle.
Mexico’s quest for a miraculous comeback to end Poland’s superior goal differential ended their string of seven consecutive World Cup round of 16 appearances. Mexico ultimately left Lusail Stadium in Qatar with a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia and a shattering defeat.
After a goalless and relatively lackluster first half, Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia with two goals in the opening seven minutes of the second. Henry Martin and Luis Chavez each scored with deft finishes.
Mexico was close to securing the victory it need to have a chance to improve from last place in Group C and advance as the runner-up to the World Cup knockout stages. However, it lacked the objectives it required.
Everyone who had a stake in El Tri was aware that a third objective was necessary. Argentina could score it against Poland, or Mexico could take care of it and secure all of the crucial tiebreak advantages.
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Why Mexico’s two goals weren’t enough?
Mexico would be sent home on the basis of fair play, which essentially comes down to which team received fewer yellow and red cards throughout the group stage. As Mexico built a 2-0 lead and Poland fell behind Argentina by the same score, the two teams were even on all other World Cup tiebreakers except one.
A third objective had to be set. And it existed. Chucky Lozano scored in the 56th minute, but it was called offside because of an earlier teammate involvement. Then Uriel Antuna scored a second third goal in the 88th minute, but at least the offside that disallowed that goal was not even near.
The most shocking close call came from Orbelin Pineda when he volleyed from the left side of the area but was unable to catch the far post. There were also many other close calls that were almost too numerous to count.
A late goal from Saudi Arabia appeared to put the dream to rest, but a third Mexico goal would have once more evened the score between Poland and Mexico.
Poland finished the tournament with two goals, one less than Mexico’s elusive third goal against the Saudis. Therefore, Mexico still had some time to score the third goal and carry on. However, it wasn’t enough.
On the basis of total goals scored, Mexico would have advanced if any of those numerous significant chances had been converted. Mexico would have moved on the strength of a greater goal differential than Poland had the great Lionel Messi converted a penalty kick in the first half against Poland and El Tri had played more steadily knowing they were reasonably secure.
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Why it hurts even more that Mexico left now?
The World Cup record of Mexico is impressive while not being particularly stellar. El Tri has made it out of group play and into the round of 16 in every competition since 1994, when it was held in the United States and goalkeeper Jorge Campos made a name for himself with some remarkable saves.
Only Brazil can match their streak of seven consecutive wins (and exceed). And it was a run that came to an end on Wednesday as Mexico finished third in Group C, behind Argentina and Poland.
The people has been pleading for Mexico to advance to the “quinto partido,” or “fifth game,” which would be the quarterfinal, for years. El Tri lost each of its seven round-of-16 appearances in a row.
The Amazon Prime documentary “Good Rivals,” which details the strong rivalry between Mexico and the USA over the previous 25 years, centres on Mexico’s regret over not taking advantage of a matchup with the United States and making it to the quarterfinals in 2002.
They didn’t even advance to the fourth game this time.
This tendency has been present for two years. During World Cup qualifying, Mexico’s record against the top CONCACAF opponents was 0-2-2, or zero victories in four contests. El Tri also suffered two defeats against the USMNT in regional competition finals last summer, the Nations League and Gold Cup, with each defeat seeming to sap their spirit.
When Mexico’s defense lost track of Lionel Messi in a risky position during the second half of a game against Argentina, it seemed less tragic that the team had failed to score in either of its first two games in Qatar. The clear Martino strategy to try and salvage a point from that game and rely on defeating Saudi Arabia to progress started to fall apart when he struck.
Mexico entered the third round having to defeat the Saudis and either pray for a Poland victory or turn around a goal differential of four relative to Poland after leaving that Argentina encounter as a 2-0 loser. They required any and all objectives they could acquire.
They were not acquired.
