Mexico fall short to qualify to knockout stage

Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 to end their FIFA World Cup (FWC) Group C campaign, but it wasn't enough as they were eliminated from the competition's group stages for the first time since 1978 due to Poland, who advanced at their expense due to goal difference.

Saudi Arabia and Mexico both understood that winning this crucial Group C match would give them the best opportunity possible of moving on to the FWC knockout rounds. However, a lot depended on the Argentina-Poland game on the other side, especially for Gerardo Martino's team, which was still looking for its first win and goal in Qatar to finally leave their stamp on the competition.