Mexico coach Martino out after exit

For a long time after the final whistle, Luis Chavez crouched on the field in anguish. He had just scored in Mexico’s furious attempt to stay alive at the World Cup, but the 2-1 victory Wednesday over Saudi Arabia wasn’t enough. Because of Argentina’s 2-0 win 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 last seven World Cups, second only to Brazil, which has gone through to the round of 16 since 1986. El Tri went into the match at Lusail Stadium needing both a victory and help from Poland to advance in Group C. Argentina’s victory meant goal difference came into play — and Mexico didn’t have enough of them. After the match, Mexico coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said his contract with the team had ended with the final whistle. The 60-year-old Martino, above, who previously coached his native Argentina, took over as Mexico boss in January 2019 after he led Atlanta United to victory in MLS Cup.