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Mexico suffered a painful exit from Globalism Cup on goal difference on Wednesday despite beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a dramatic final against Group C.
Second half goals from Henri Martin and Luis Chavez secured victory for Mexico but they finished third behind Poland after Salem Al Dosari’s late goal.
Mexico pushed hard for a third goal in an effort to improve their goal difference as they faced elimination under FIFA’s Fair Play rules.
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Saudi Arabia’s victory over Argentina in their opening match was one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup, but they returned to earth with a 2-0 loss to Poland in their second match.
Coach Hervé Renard urged his players to show no blink and write themselves in the history of Saudi football by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time since 1994.
Having failed to win either of their first two group stage matches for the first time in 44 years, Mexico knew a win was essential if they were to have a chance of reaching the last 16 in their eighth consecutive World Cup.
Mexico coach Gerardo Martino abandoned the five defenses he used in the 2-0 loss to Argentina and brought in Martin to lead the attack.
He almost reaped immediate rewards, but Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais saved Alexis Vega after he slipped behind the Hirving Lozano defense.
Al Owais, one of the heroes of the 2-1 win over Argentina, initially made a save from a rebound cross in front of Martin and stopped weak attempts by Chávez and Orbelin Pineda.
Mohamed Kanoo slotted in a direct free kick for Saudi Arabia, which saw defender Ali Al Bulayhi go off with an injury – adding to his growing list of injuries.
Mexico continued to attack without success and Ali Al-Hassan pretty much dispatched the bulk of the Saudi crowd late in the first half with a header that went just wide of the far post.
Chávez tested Al Owais immediately after half-time and Martin quickly broke the deadlock when he turned from close range after Cesar Montes’ clever pass into a corner.
Mexico’s second goal came just five minutes later when Chavez smashed a stunning free kick into the top corner from 30 metres.
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Watching the scoreline between Argentina and Poland, Mexico relentlessly pushed for a third goal, with Lozano’s effort ruled out for too much offside.
Martin lit up when he had a great chance and Chavez had another free kick which was deflected by Al Owais, who also extended to his right to clear Lozano.
Then Uriel Antona ruled out another goal for offside before Al Dawsari’s late strike put an end to the drama.
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