[골닷컴] Reporter Kang Dong-hun = Mexico’s ‘R16 DNA’ appears to have been activated. It looked like he would manage to progress to the stage by performing a miracle, but the streak of reaching the round of 16, which has continued since the 1994 World Cup in the United States, ended in Qatar. We can’t even keep the ‘regular customer’ position.
In fact, it was almost impossible for Mexico to advance to the round of 16. This is because they failed to win two matches in a row, including the first match against Poland (a 0-0 draw) and the second match against Argentina (loss 0-2). They were falling to the bottom of Group C and were expected to be eliminated from the group stage.
However, he did not give up and dreamed of his last hope against Saudi Arabia in the final match. And I could write a real ‘reverse’ play. But I couldn’t stop laughing. If the points are equal, it is determined by goal difference, but it was falling behind Poland in second place (4 points).
Mexico won 2-1 in the final Group C match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar group stage against Saudi Arabia held at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail, Qatar at 4:00 am (Korea time) on the 1st. Mexico, who won that day, remained in 3rd place (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss, 4 points), but failed to advance to the round of 16 due to the difference in goal difference.
Coach Gerardo Martino (Argentina) brought out a 4-2-3-1 formation. Henry Martin (Club America) was in the lead. Alexis Vega (Guadalajara), Orbelin Pineda (Athens), and Irving Rossano (Napoli) led the attack in the second line.
Luis Chavez (Pachuca) and Edson Alvarez (Ajax) formed the midfield. Jesús Gallardo, Hector Moreno, Cesar Montes (both Monterrey) and Jorge Sanchez (Ajax) were the four backs. The goalkeeper’s gloves were worn by Guillermo Ochoa (Club America).
Against this, Saudi Arabia came out in a 4-4-2 formation. Mohamed Canno and Saleh Al-Shehri (above Al Hilal) competed as top two. Saleem al-Dawusari, Saud Abdulhamid (above al-Hilal), Ali al-Hassan (al-Nasr), and others were supported. Goalkeeper was Mohamed Al-Owais (Al Hilal).
As expected, the unsettled contest with Mexico was ahead from the start. Against this, Saudi Arabia focused on defense and counterattack through counterattacks. They took several shots from each other and struggled to score, but could not shake the net. The first half ended scoreless.
Coach Martino made the substitution at the start of the second half. Except for Vega, Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul) entered. The change struck. Mexico broke the flow that had been frustrated with decision problems throughout the first half. In the 2nd minute of the second half, in a corner kick situation, Chavez’s cross was connected in front of the goal, and Martin scored through Montes.
Mexico, who got the flow right, widened the gap with an extra goal. In the 7th minute of the second half, from a free kick opportunity, Chavez split the net with a great shot from the left foot. The goalkeeper Al-Owais threw himself and reached for his hand, but it landed right in the top corner of the right post and he was unable to touch it.
Mexico, needing more goals to advance to the round of 16, launched a wave of attacks. Coach Martino tried to change the attacking side and even threw a winning number. In the 32nd minute of the second half, Martin and Pineda came out, and Raul Jimenez (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Carlos Rodriguez (Cruz Azul) came in.
However, Saudi Arabia held on with a comeback goal. In the second half of extra time, Al-Dawusari exchanged a one-two pass with Hatan Bahbeer (Al Shabab), and the net fell. There was no change in the score in the remaining time, and the contest ended with Mexico winning 2-1.
