Renard plots Saudi passage to the last 16 at the World Cup
Saudi Arabia take on Mexico in crucial Group C clash that could decide who makes it into the knockout rounds of the 2022 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia’s stunning win over Argentina in their opening game put them top of Group A but their defeat to Poland means there is still work to do and one point tonight may not be enough for them to qualify. They need the mindset of going out and winning the game against Mexico to ensure they make it through.
Mexico are in the same position. They must win tonight if they want to make it into the last 16 and hope that Poland defeat or draw with Argentina. There are a few permutations that could get Mexico into the knockout stages but to give themselves the best possible chance they need to defeat Saudi Arabia by two goals or more.
Salman Al Faraj is out of the tournament meaning that Saudi Arabia are without their captain whilst Mexico’s leader Andres Guardado is a doubt due to a muscle issue.
Follow all the action with our live blog below:
Saudi Arabia 0-2 Mexico
73 mins: On the yellow card front Mexico have seven and Poland have four which means that Mexico best chance of making it through is to get a goal.
Lozano gets brought down in a very similar position to where Luis Chavez scored his free kick from earlier. He’ll have another go surely.
Save! Chavez smokes another fine free kick and bends one around the wall but Al Owais leaps across and palms this one away! Great save from the Saudi goalkeeper.
Saudi Arabia 0-2 Mexico
71 mins: Mexico need another goal. They’ll be getting this information relayed to them from the sidelines. If Mexico or Argentina score then Mexico will go through to the last-16.
Mohamed Kanno is punished for a high boot on Orbelin Pinaeda. The Mexico fans are loving this, they’re encouraging their team on.
A free kick to Mexico comes into the box where it’s headed over to Martin. He meets it on the volley and drills a volley over the crossbar!
Saudi Arabia 0-2 Mexico
68 mins: Chance! Lozano blasts a scuttling shot at the Saudi Arabia goal but Al Owais leaps across to his right and keeps it out with a strong hand.
Argentina have added a second goal in their match against Poland meaning that Mexico and Poland are level on goal difference. As it stands Poland are going through by having picked up fewer yellow cards!
Saudi Arabia 0-2 Mexico
65 mins: Henry Martin is fed the ball on the left side of the pitch for Mexico. He beautifully spins around Al Tambakti and drives into the penalty area.
Martin and Al Tambakti tussle before the striker goes to ground wanting a penalty that he doesn’t get.
Saudi Arabia 0-2 Mexico
62 mins: Saudi Arabia are done. They’ve been blown away by Mexico in this half and need three goals to go through which isn’t happening.
Two Group C places are up for grabs. Argentina and Poland hold them as it stands but another goal for Mexico puts them above Poland.
Less than 30 minutes to play now.
Saudi Arabia 0-2 Mexico
59 mins: Mexico are on fire at the minute. They won’t be relying on Argentina scoring more goals against Poland when they knew Saudi Arabia are here for the taking.
Mexico have finally come alive at the World Cup. Can they now get through to the last-16. They’re going to need another goal at least.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Saudi Arabia 0-2 Mexico
56 mins: Hirving Lozano receives the ball in the middle of the Saudi Arabian half. He sends it up to Henry Martin and plays a one-two on his way into the area.
After getting the ball back, Lozano slides the ball into the back of the net but Martin was slightly offside in the build-up and the goal is chalked off!
GOAL! Saudi Arabia 0-2 Mexico (Chavez, 52’) ⚽️
52 mins: Jaw-droppingly good! Luis Chavez stands over the free kick but he’s too far out from goal to shoot surely?
He smokes the deadball with a left-foot and lifts his free kick over the wall with enough curl and swerve to take it away from Mohammed Al Owais before nestling in the top right-hand corner!
Saudi Arabia 0-1 Mexico
51 mins: Montes clears his own lines and boots the ball up to Martin who is brought down by Al Tambakti. The Saudi Arabian defender goes in the book too.
Free kick to Mexico.
Saudi Arabia 0-1 Mexico
50 mins: As it stands Mexico are level on points with Poland but have a worse goal difference. They need a two goal swing in order for them to qualify.
That means they need to score again and hope Argentina increase their lead too.
