Mexico made a Herculean effort to reverse their disadvantaged position in the Group 3 standings, being last before today’s final group games, they got closer to their goal by beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 but trailing Poland on goals (2-2 vs. 2). -3) in a draw that resulted in 4 points.

Mexico finished third and the Arab team fourth, although they were in an advantageous position prior to the start of the games, drawing everyone’s surprise by beating Argentina in the first leg.

The Three started by setting the game at a frenzied pace from the start, as it wasn’t enough for them to just score three points, but win by a score difference to cover the goal difference with Poland.

As a result, the Mexicans stepped on the gas and already in the 3rd minute, Al Owais saved the Saudis in the four with Vega, and in the 25th minute, Pineda’s shot was parried, and the ball was in the hands of the goalkeeper.

In the first half, the AEK ace performed well, creating but also threatening, as he did in the 27th minute with a header and in the 41st minute, when he saw his counterattack attempt and got into the corner.

The first 45 minutes ended without points, but the second half started off great for the team of Gerardo “Tata” Martino who made it 1-0 in the 47th minute with Martin from close range after a heel kick from Montes.

Moreover, six minutes later, Sanchez took a free kick from 20-25 meters … ala Messi, scoring a stunning goal in the 53rd minute, and in the 56th minute, Lozano’s goal was not counted (offside).

The Mexicans now had the same points and goals as the Poles (losing to Argentina 2-0), but still needed a goal, either their own or… Argentina, as they were behind the Europeans in fair play (fewer yellow cards) .

With Martin, they tried to find it in the 70th minute, but the volley of the center forward of America was off target. And while time was running out, in the fifth minute of stoppage time and while Martino’s charges were all on the attack, the Saudis in the fifth stoppage time with Al-Dawsari reduced the final score 1:2 and saved the Poles from … a heart attack. .

YELLOW: Al-Hassan, Tabakti, Al-Shehri, Mandu, Al-Amri, Bahebri – E. Alvarez

SAUDI ARABIA (Herve Renard): Al-Owais, Alganam (Bahebri, 88), Al-Bulahi (Sarahili, 37), Al-Amri, Tabakti, Al-Hassan (Mandu, 46), Al-Birakan, Abdulhamid, Al- Dausari, Kano, Al-Shehri (Alobud, 62).

MEXICO (Gerardo Martino): Ochoa, Sanchez (C. Alvarez, 88), Montes, Moreno, Gaillardo, E. Alvarez (Funes Mori, 88), Chavez, Pineda (Rodriguez, 77), Vega (Antonia, 46), Lozano , Martin (Jiménez, 77′)