Mexico finally scores and wins, still falls short
For a long time after the final whistle, Luis Chavez crouched on the field in anguish.
He had just scored in Mexico’s desperate attempt to stay alive at the World Cup, but the 2-1 victory Wednesday over Saudi Arabia in Lusail, Qatar, wasn’t enough. Because of Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Poland in a simultaneous match, Mexico failed to advance out of its group for the first time since 1978.
“We had a chance to qualify,” Chavez said glumly. “We didn’t achieve it.”
Mexico had reached the knockout round at the past seven World Cups, second only to Brazil, which has gone to the round of 16 since 1986.
El Tri went into the match at Lusail Stadium needing a victory and help from Poland playing across town against Argentina to advance in Group C. Argentina’s victory meant goal difference came into play — and Mexico was in a tough spot.
Henry Martin scored in the 48th minute to give El Tri hope, and the team’s chances got even better with Chavez’s goal on a free kick four minutes later.
Mexico tried to get another goal in the final 20 minutes — including an effort by Uriel Antuna in the 87th minute that was ruled offside — but came up short.
“We needed one more goal. I didn’t know exactly what happened at the end,” said Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, playing in his fifth World Cup. “The object was to score three or four goals. It’s a shame.”
Salem Aldawsari scored in second-half stoppage time for Saudi Arabia, which also was eliminated despite beating Argentina in its opener. Argentina 2, Poland 0: Rest easy, fans. Lionel Messi will grace the World Cup stage at least one more time.
The Argentinian had a penalty saved but his team still beat Poland in Doha after second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez to advance to the round of 16.
Argentina finished in first place in Group C to set up a match with Australia, a surprise qualifier for the knockout stage.
Poland advanced despite being outshot 24-3 and next will face Group D winner France.
Australia 1, Denmark 0: Australia made the round of 16, beating favored Denmark on Mathew Leckie’s 60th-minute goal.
It is Australia’s first time in the knockout stage since 2006, the only other time it advanced past the group stage.
Tunisia 1, France 0: Defending champion France won its World Cup group despite the loss.
Wahbi Khazri scored in the 58th minute to give the Tunisians the victory, but it wasn’t enough to get them into the round of 16.
France’s Antoine Griezmann thought he evened the score in the eighth minute of stoppage time but was ruled offside following a video review.