Luay Ahmed
exico defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 at the Lusail Stadium, in a Group C matchup on which both teams’ qualification to the round of 16 depended.
Mexico started the game at a very fast pace, with Vega finding himself through on the Saudi Arabian goal with just two minutes on the clock. Al Owais responded with a strong save, the first of many he would have to make in the match.
Saudi Arabia responded to the early Mexican chance with a ten minute period in which they fashioned two good chances to take the lead. First, Kanno controlled a far post cross but shot his volley over the bar, and then Kanno again failed to keep his free kick under the crossbar.
Mexico took over the game from that point onwards. Pineda had a shot in the box blocked by a resolute Saudi defensive line, and Chavez couldn’t keep his volley under the bar when Vega played him a clever lofted ball directly from a corner.
Mexico continued to press forward late in the first half, with Pineda striking a low effort just wide of the bar after making a strong run into the Saudi penalty area.
The second half started with Mexico continuing to pile the pressure on the Saudi Arabian goal, with Chavez again in the midst of the action with a shot from outside the box forcing Al Owais to make a diving save.
A minute later, Mexico had the goal their play had deserved to that point when a corner kick found its way to Martin in the 6 yard box. The Mexican striker flashed the ball into the back of the net from point blank range.
Mexico doubled their lead four minutes later with a beautiful free kick courtesy of Chavez, who struck a brilliant left footed curling effort to the top left corner of the Saudi goal.
With the score of the Argentina vs. Poland game requiring them to score a third goal to qualify, Mexico continued pressing forward. Chavez had two more free kicks saved by Al Owais, as well as a goal disallowed by the assistant’s offside flag.
As they continued to push men forward, some intricate Saudi play in the last minute of added time resulted in Salem Al Dawsari finding himself one on one with the Mexican goalkeeper Ochoa. The Saudi Arabian playmaker coolly slotted home his finish to end the Mexican World Cup dream in Qatar.
Full time: Mexico 2 – 1 Saudi Arabia.