Saudi Arabia and Mexico will face off in Group C of the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
If either Argentina or Poland lose their match against the top two teams, all four teams have a chance to go to the round of 16.
Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico Preview
Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari is overjoyed to have met his second 2022 ambition.
Following a 2-0 loss to Poland over the weekend, Herve Renard’s Saudi Arabian team was denied passage to the next stage for the first time in the country’s history.
Wojciech Szczesny saved Salem Al’s penalty attempt before Piotr Zielinski and Robert Lewandowski scored for Poland. Lewandowski scored his first World Cup goal at the age of 34.
Despite finishing third in Group C, Saudi Arabia would qualify for the playoffs for the second time in their history if they defeated Mexico (after making the last 16 in 1994).
A draw would be acceptable if Poland defeated Argentina by at least three goals. However, the Poles have only won four of their past 19 games and have preserved only 6% of the World Cup clean sheets.
Argentina defeated Mexico 2-0, with Lionel Messi scoring both goals. He now has a record-tying seven Ballon d’Ors. This increased South America’s concern about getting booted out of the competition.
Mexcio’s record of first and second place finishes is in jeopardy when Messi scored in the 64th minute and Enzo Fernandez scored the game-winning goal for Benfica with a curling drive.
El Tri has advanced through the group stage in every World Cup since 1994, and they haven’t been eliminated in the first round since 1978. Gerardo Martino’s squad will need support from Argentina’s game against Poland to win.
If Poland and Argentina tie, Mexico must win by four goals; if Argentina defeats Europe, Mexico must win by five goals.
Only Tunisia has not scored in consecutive games since 2022. Nonetheless, Mexico will advance if they win and Poland defeats Argentina.
Mexico has played Saudi Arabia five times, winning or tying four of the games. They had not seen one other since 1999. Renard’s team will have no difficulty finishing in the top two.
Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico Prediction
Both sides must win in order to continue forward, which might lead to a full-fledged conflict or force them to collide and cancel each other out. Saudi Arabia understands that a draw is not the worst-case scenario, since Argentina may progress with a point if Poland is defeated by four or more goals.
Even if the Saudis depart, the supporters who cross the border will want to have a good time. The Saudis appear to have won this game against a Mexico squad that was at a loss for words.
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