Mexico has reached the round of 16 in seven consecutive World Cup tournaments, but if it can’t win against Saudi Arabia – and perhaps pull off a big win – they will be looking at a group exit that El Tri has never experienced in the world. Cup since 1978.
Anything but a win will see Mexico out. Meanwhile, Mexican fans will be keeping an eye on the next match between Argentina and Poland.
A win over Mexico and a win over Poland would see El Tri automatically advance to the Round of 16. But a loss or draw for Poland would mean a tiebreaker and the only way to guarantee a win in a tiebreaker is to beat Saudi Arabia by four. goals.
But Saudi Arabia will also be in the hunt for a Round of 16 berth for the second time in six World Cups and the first since 1994. The Falcons, who defeated Argentina 2-1 in their opener, defeated the famous Argentina 2-1. -0 Poland in their next game, one of the surprises of the tournament and El Tri will know they are a threat to cause another upset.
Mexico vs Saudi Arabia Score
| Team | 1H | 2H | Final |
| Mexico | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Saudi Arabia | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Goals:
MEX – Henry Martin -47th min
MEX – Luis Chavez -52nd min
KSA – Salem Al-Dawsari -90th+5 min
Estimated lineups:
Mexico (4-3-3, right to left): 13. Ochoa (GK) — 19. Sanchez, 3. Montes, 15. Moreno, 23. Gallardo — 17. Pineda, 4. Alvarez, 24. Chavez — 22. Lozano, 20. Martin, 10. split up
Saudi Arabia (4-3-2-1, right to left): 21. Al-Owas (GK) — 2. Al-Ghanam, 4. Al-Amri, 17. Tambakti 5. Al-Bolehi — 12. Abdulhamid, 15. Ali al-Hasan, 23. Kanno-9. Al-Buraikan, 10. Al-Dawsari – 11. Al-Shehri
Mexico vs Saudi Arabia Live Updates, 2022 World Cup Highlights
Full time: Mexico 2-1 Saudi Arabia
It’s all over! Brave effort from El Tri, who created many chances but could only convert two of them. Instead of a yellow card, they were eliminated on goal difference, but a proud record of seven consecutive qualifications from the group stage to the World Cup tournament ended.
90th+5 min: Saudi Arabia scores! Out of nowhere, captain Salem Al-Dousari raced past the advancing Guillermo Ochoa. It’s too late for the Green Falcon, but it’s a hammer blow for Mexico.
90th+2 min: Another free-kick for Mexico in a good position. This time it’s Hirving Lozano who takes it and the strike is decent enough, but lacks the power or direction to trouble Al-Owais.
90th minute: Plenty. We will have seven minutes of added time.
84th minute: Poland picks up another yellow card, their fifth of the tournament, to Mexico’s seven. So El Tri needs to score a third goal in the final six minutes of added time or expect a late clash of Poland cards against Argentina.
82nd minute: Lozano turns on the after-burners and is stopped on the edge of the Saudi penalty area. free-kick. Lozano touches it to Luis Chavez, but the wall does its job on this occasion.
78th minute: Close again for Mexico! Hirving Lozano puts the ball into the path of Uriel Antuna, but his leg is saved.
77th minute: Martin and Pineda make the final contribution. In their place are Raul Jimenez and Charlie Rodriguez.
76th minute: Another chance for El Tri when Henry Martin sets up Orbelin Pineda on the edge of the area, but he curls it wide of the right post.
72nd minute: Luis Chavez lines up another free-kick, in a central position about 25 yards out. It’s another clean strike from the Mexican maestro and it’s heading into the top left corner, but Al-Owes dives to beat it.
70th minute: What a chance for Mexico! El Tri should be ahead 3-0 but Henry Martin fires his left-footed volley over the bar from eight yards out.
66th minute: OFF! Hirving Lozano fires back but Mohamed Al-Owes gets down well to his right. Mexico are still looking for that crucial third goal…
64th minute: Argentina lead 2-0 against Poland. This means that Mexico are tied on points and goal difference, but Poland are ahead due to fewer yellow cards! (see table above)
56th minute: Is it the third goal for Mexico? After a one-two with Henry Martin, Hirving Lozano put the ball into the net but Martin was offside. El Tri need one more to level with Poland, who are currently second on points and goal difference.
The given video is available in US
Tata Martino was every Mexico fan after that offside flag came up 😬 pic.twitter.com/aJ9reWZNSq
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 30, 2022
52nd minute: And Mexico have another! Brilliant free-kick from Luis Chavez, who bends it left-footed over the wall and into the top-right corner from 25 yards. What a strike!
The given video is available in US
WHAT A STRIKE BY LUIS CHAVEZ 🤯🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/MY26lftFxj
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 30, 2022
47th minute: Goal for Mexico! The corner from the left is flicked on and Henry Martin is there to tap it home!
The given video is available in US
THERE’S ONE FOR MEXICO 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/gWHEW5XdLb
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 30, 2022
47th minute: Argentina take the lead in their next match against Poland.
46th minute: We’re back at Lussell Stadium.
After Lionel Messi missed a penalty, Poland held on to Argentina and are still goalless in the next match of Group C. So as things stand, nothing has changed and both of these teams are going out. A goal for both sides changes things though…
Halftime: Mexico 0-0 Saudi Arabia
45th+5 min: Big chance for Saudi Arabia! Sultan Al-Ghannam gets to the right byline and sends in a brilliant cross but Ali Al-Hassan heads it wide of the left post. Closed, but no cigar.
The given video is available in CANADA
While the 1st half has been mostly Mexico, Saudi Arabia almost connects on the flying header in stoppage time! #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/cU9DcABk1Y
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 30, 2022
The given video is available in US
Saudi Arabia with another big chance 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/wIU2QHISnG
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 30, 2022
45th+3 min: Hirving Lozano comes down the right wing but fires his cross over everyone’s head. The Napoli man needs more rest there.
45th minute: We’re six minutes into added time.
44th minute: More pressure from Mexico but as Alexis Vega cuts inside onto his right foot, his shot is saved by the Saudi defense, which has been excellent so far. Jesus Gallardo bullies it into the area, and Luis Chavez tries his luck, but to no avail. Saudi Arabian Holding Firm.
39th minute: Do we have a goal in the next game of this group? No! Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saved Lionel Messi’s penalty for Argentina. As you were…
36th minute: Ali Al-Bulehi is unable to continue after a clash with Lozano and is replaced by Riyad Sharahili.
34th minute: Luis Chavez nutmegs Ali Al-Hassan with good skill and the Saudi midfielder brings him down. English referee Michael Oliver received a yellow card.
27th minute: It’s all Mexico now. A brilliant ball from the right by Hirving Lozano and Pineda heads the far post, but it bounces past Sultan Al-Ghanem to safety. Green (playing White tonight) dangerous time for the Falcons.
The given video is available in UK
Mexico are *this* close to taking the lead with some last ditch defending from Saudi Arabia 👀
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 30, 2022
Herve Renard is not happy 🤬
📱💻 Watch live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds ⤵️#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup
25th minute: Another good attack from Mexico and it’s Orbelin Pineda on the end this time, but Abdullah Al-Amri comes out early and fires his right-footed effort wide.
22nd minute: A good spell of pressure from Mexico but it ends with a tame volley from Luis Chavez from outside the area. It will not trouble Mohammad Al-Owais from there.
15th minute: The first yellow card of the game goes to Mexico’s Edson Alvarez for a late challenge on Hasan Tambakti.
The given video is available in US
Things are getting physical between Mexico and Saudi Arabia 😳 pic.twitter.com/m0IcnaFZkn
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 30, 2022
13th minute: OFF! Mohamed Kanno curls it hard with his right foot towards the top left corner. Ochoa is beaten but it is very high.
The given video is available in US
Things are getting physical between Mexico and Saudi Arabia 😳 pic.twitter.com/m0IcnaFZkn
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 30, 2022
12th min: Chance here for Saudi Arabia as Saud Abdulhamid bundles over on the edge of the box. free-kick.
7th minute: A dangerous ball into the Saudi box that has Hirving Lozano, but Mohamed Al-Owes is quick to get past it under pressure amid a crowd of bodies.
4th minute: Saudi Arabia captain Salem Al-Doussari gets behind Mexico’s defense and fires an effort towards goal, but goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is quick to clear it away.
2nd minute: An early sight on goal for Mexico’s Luis Chavez, but he drags his left-footed shot wide of the right post.
1st Minute: A scary atmosphere while the game is underway. Both teams have great support in the crowd.
5 minutes from kickoff: The teams are out on the pitch at Lussell Stadium, and it’s time for the anthem.
Mexico vs Saudi Arabia lineup, team news
After the 5-3-2 against Argentina, it will be back to 4-3-3 for Tata Martino as his team look for a lopsided win against Saudi Arabia. Center forward Henry Martin is expected to lead the line with attacking mid Orbelin Pineda introduced in midfield and right back Jorge Sanchez resuming his place in the back line.
Mexico (4-3-3, right to left): 13. Ochoa (GK) — 19. Sanchez, 3. Montes, 15. Moreno, 23. Gallardo — 17. Pineda, 4. Alvarez, 24. Chavez — 22. Lozano, 20. Martin, 10. split up
Three Saudi Arabian players are Yasser Al-Shahrani, Mohammad Al-Buraik and Salman Al-Faraj due to injury. They are also without midfielder Abdullah Al-Malki due to yellow card accumulation.
Ali Al-Hassan replaces Al-Malki while Sultan Al-Ghanam, Abdullah Al-Amri and Hassan Tambakhti come in at the back and Firas Al-Buraikan starts on the right.
Saudi Arabia (4-3-2-1, right to left): 21. Al-Owas (GK) — 2. Al-Ghanam, 4. Al-Amri, 17. Tambakti 5. Al-Bolehi — 12. Abdulhamid, 15. Ali al-Hasan, 23. Kanno-9. Al-Buraikan, 10. Al-Dawsari – 11. Al-Shehri
Mexico vs Saudi Arabia Live Stream, TV Channel
This last match of Group C will be played at Lusail Stadium. Here’s how you can see all the action in some key global regions.
| Date | Time | TV Channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Wed, Nov. 30 | 14:00 ET | FS1 Telemundo | fuboTV, Fox Sports site/app, Telemundo Deportes site/app, Peacock |
| Canada | Wed, Nov. 30 | 14:00 ET | TSN 2, RDS 2 (French) | TSN site/app, RDS app |
| UK | Wed, Nov. 30 | 19:00 GMT | BBC Two | BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website |
| Australia | Thu, Dec. 1 | 06:00 AEDT | SBS VICELAND | SBS On Demand |
| India | Thu, Dec. 1 | 00:30 IST | Sports18 | Voot, JioTV |
| Hong Kong | Thu, Dec. 1 | 03:00 HKT | Now TV (Ch. 617, 619) | Now TV |
| Malaysia | Thu, Dec. 1 | 03:00 MYT | Astro Arena 2 | Astro GO |
| Singapore | Thu, Dec. 1 | 03:00 SGT | StarHub FIFA World Cup, Singtel FIFA World Cup 141 | Singtel TV GO, CAST, StarHub TV+, MeWatch |
| New Zealand | Thu, Dec. 1 | 08:00 NZDT | Sky Sport 1 NZ | Sky Go, Sky Sport NOW |