Mexico exited the World Cup in dramatic fashion, missing out on a place in the last 16 to Poland on goal difference, despite beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 on Wednesday.
Mexico were leading 2-0 into stoppage time, which, coupled with Poland’s defeat to group winners Argentina by the same scoreline, meant the two teams would finish level on points, goal difference, goals scored, goals conceded and head-to-head record having drawn their opening group game 0-0.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
But with Poland having a narrow edge on fair play points, Mexico had to continue to pour men forward in search of a goal to send them to the knockout stage. And in doing so, they were caught on the break by Saudi Arabia to mean Poland advanced by one goal (0 GD for Poland, -1 for Mexico).
For Mexico, it is the first time they will not feature in the World Cup knockout stage since 1990, when they were banned from the tournament. The last time El Tri qualified for the tournament and failed to make it out of the group stage was in 1978.
