World Cup

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World Cup | Group Stage

Nov 30, 2022 at 7pm UK

Saudi Arabia
1 - 2
Mexico

Al-Dawsari (90+5')
Al-Shehri (28'), Al Hassan (34'), Tambakti (52'), Madu (81'), Al Amri (90+1'), Babhir (90+7')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Martin (47'), Chavez (52')
Alvarez (16')

World Cup 2022: Reasons for Mexico to be confident of beating Saudi Arabia

By Ben Sully

Published: November 29 2022 | 22:36

Last updated: November 30 2022 | 21:23

Ahead of Mexico's final group game against Saudi Arabia, Sports Mole looks at three reasons why Mexico can be confident of claiming all three points.

Mexico have failed to win any of their opening two group games at World Cup 2022, where they followed a goalless draw against Poland with a 2-0 defeat to Argentina.

As a result, El Tri are currently sat bottom of the group with just one point to their name, knowing that they will have to beat Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to stand any chance of advancing to the last 16.

Even then a win may not be enough, as they will be looking towards the result of Argentina's meeting with Poland, and there is a strong possibility that goal difference could be the deciding factor if El Tri manages to claim all three points.

Here, Sports Mole examines three reasons why Mexico can be confident of beating Saudi Arabia in their final group game.

Impressive head-to-head record

Mexico head coach Gerardo Martino pictured during training on November 21, 2022 © Reuters

Gerardo Martino will be concerned by the fact that his side are still without a win in Qatar, but the Mexico boss can take inspiration from the head-to-head record between the two nations.

Mexico faced Saudi Arabia in five matches across all competitions between 1995 and 1999, recording four victories and a draw.

In the most recent meeting, El Tri cruised to a comfortable 5-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in the 1999 edition of the Confederations Cup.

While 23 years have passed since that commanding win, Mexico will certainly take confidence from their head-to-head record as they aim to secure a fifth victory over Wednesday's opponents.

Saudi Arabia's leaky defence

Argentina's Lisandro Martinez in action with Saudi Arabia's Feras Al-Brikan on November 22, 2022 © Reuters

Mexico have failed to score in their last four World Cup games, and although they have registered 49 shots in that period, only nine of those efforts were on target.

With El Tri struggling to trouble the scorers, they may sense an opportunity to find the net against a Saudi Arabia side that have conceded 42 goals across their 18 World Cup matches.

Saudi Arabia have only kept one clean sheet in the tournament's history when they claimed a narrow 1-0 victory in 1994.

Since that win, Saudi Arabia have gone 15 World Cup games without recording a shutout, which will give Mexico cause for optimism.

Past group stage success

Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa celebrates after saving a penalty shot from Poland's Robert Lewandowski pictured on November 22, 2022 © Reuters

Mexico have progressed from the group stage in their last eight World Cup appearances, although they have been eliminated at the round-of-16 stage in the previous seven tournaments.

While that statistic may frustrate Mexico, it does highlight the consistency that they have developed in reaching the knockout rounds.

El Tri will move onto four points with a victory on Wednesday, and that points tally was enough for them to finish second in their group at the 1994, 2006 and 2010 World Cup.

Although a win against Saudi Arabia does not guarantee their progression to the last 16, recent history shows that Mexico have a habit of finding a way to qualify for the knockout stages.