Saudi Arabia exit World Cup promising a bright future despite missed chance against Mexico

Herve Renard admits his players fell short at the last hurdle but there is still plenty of pride

Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari fires the ball past Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in their World Cup Group C 2-1 defeat to the Central American team at Lusail Stadium, Qatar, on Wednesday, Novemeber 30, 2022. AP

Salem Al Dawsari of Saudi Arabia scores against Mexico. Getty

Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari runs back with the ball after scoring against Mexico. AP

Mexico's Henry Martin after scoring the opening goal against Saudi Arabia. AP

Mexico's Cesar Montes and Uriel Antuna celebrate after Henry Martin's goal. AP

Mexico's Henry Martin, left, celebrates with Jesus Gallardo. AP

Mexico's Luis Chavez, right, celebrates scoring the second goal. PA

Luis Chavez of Mexico celebrates with teammates after scoring. Getty

Mexico's Hector Moreno tussles with Saudi Arabia's Firas Al Buraikan. AP

Saudi Arabia's Hassan Tambakti pulls the jersey of Mexico's Henry Martin. AP

Saudi Arabia's Sultan Al Ghannam in action with Mexico's Jesus Gallardo. Reuters

On the pitch there were tears, off it a tacit understanding they simply had not done enough.

Salem Al Dawsari was crying, Herve Renard candid.

“The result does not reflect the reality of the match,” the French coach conceded following the 2-1 defeat to Mexico that derailed Saudi Arabia’s dream. “We deserved to lose by more goals.”

Saudi’s worst display of the World Cup came in the most important match, right when they required another gargantuan game.

Renard pointed to his side’s inability to cope with Mexico’s intensity and conviction; right from the off, from when Alexis Vega broke through on three minutes and forced goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais to thrust forward from his line, Saudi were second best.

But it did not feel the pressure to perform - a common criticism in the past - had paralysed the team. More crucially, it was the missing men. Salman Al Faraj, the inspirational captain, was injured. Yasser Al Shahrani, the similarly experienced full-back, and defensive counterpart Mohammed Al Breik, too. Midfielder Abdulelah Al Malki, meanwhile, was suspended.

And so Saudi offered an understandably disjointed display, way too open throughout, never really a threat to Mexico, never truly threatening to grasp the chance to become only the second team from the kingdom to make the World Cup knockouts. It feels a long way back to 1994. It is.

Yet the way forward still feels full of promise. For sure, Saudi will rue an opportunity lost, the failure to build on that genuinely incredible opening victory against Argentina – really, Argentina – and a missed penalty to draw level against Poland and the missed chances then that continually came and went. Poland went on to win, leaving Saudi needing something from Mexico.

That it didn’t come will sting for some time, but the positives are plenty. Saudi, the tournament's second-lowest ranked team at No 51, shocked the world’s third best team. They burnished this World Cup with one of the greatest results from all of them.

A 26-man squad consisting of solely Saudi-based players upset Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez and pals, and outplayed for the majority Robert Lewandowski’s Poland.

Saudi Arabia v Mexico ratings

SAUDI ARABIA RATINGS: Mohammed Al-Owais 7 – Made a handful of smart saves to deny Mexico a place in the last 16, and the goalkeeper cannot be blamed for Mexico’s two goals. Getty Images

Hassan Tambakti 6 – In his return to the side, the centre-back stood up well in a physical battle. Received a booking in the second half after pulling the shirt of Martin. EPA

Abdulelah Al Amri 6 – The defender provided plenty of strong tackles and was carded late into the contest. Reuters

Ali Al Bulayhi 4 – Forced off after 36 minutes with a possible injury to his hamstring following a shove from Lozano. Getty Images

Sultan Al Ghanam 5 – Looked better when venturing forward and he delivered an inch-perfect cross to set up Al Hassan just before half-time. Had the Falcon’s best chance to score but he could not keep his header on target. AFP

Ali Al-Hassan 4 – Carded for absolutely clattering into Chavez after the Mexican nutmegged him, and he was replaced at the break. AFP

Mohamed Kanno 6 – Took some neat touches in the game’s opening stages, but he struggled to get on the ball in the second half. AFP

Saud Abdulhamid 7 – Dealt well with his defensive duties as he reverted to left-back after Al Bulayhi left the field. Provided a last-ditch block to deny Mexico a crucial third goal. AFP

Firas Al Buraikan 4 – The Saudi frontman lacked pace and could not threaten when getting behind the Mexico defensive line. Getty Images

Saleh Al Shehri 5 – The forward was fairly ineffective and was replaced by Al Aboud just after the hour mark. Getty Images

Salem Al Dawsari 7 – The winger showcased some neat footwork and slotted the ball past Ochoa to score a consolation goal in the final minutes to break Mexican hearts. AFP

Ahmed Sharahili (Al Bulayhi, 37) 6 – Came on in midfield and stood up well defensively in his competitive international debut. Reuters

Abdullah Madu (Al Hassan, 46) 5 – Carded after bringing down Lozano just on the edge of the 18-yard box. AFP

Abdulrahman Al Aboud (Al Sheri, 62) 5 – Little chance to influence the game. Getty Images

Hattan Bahebri (Al-Ghanam, 88) N/A. Getty Images

MEXICO RATINGS: Guillermo Ochoa 5 – The goalkeeper was not busy, but he was eventually beaten by Al Dawsari in the closing stages of the game. AFP

Jorge Sanchez 6 – Read the game well defensively and then drove the ball up the pitch to urge his side forward. Getty Images

Cesar Montes 7 – The defender showcased his range of passing and provided a clever flick to assist the opening goal. Getty Images

Hector Moreno 5 – Solid display at the back and dealt with most of what came his way. Getty Images

Jesus Gallardo 7 – Troubled the Saudi defence from a wide position and delivered some good crosses into the box. AP Photo

Edson Alvarez 6 – The Ajax midfielder moved the ball well from the middle of the park. Received a yellow card after a late foul on Abdulhamid and was arguably lucky not to see another after another clumsy challenge. AP Photo

Luis Chavez 9 – Produced a stunning free kick to double Mexico’s lead with his first international goal. He almost had a second set-piece goal but Al Owais matched his effort. A standout performer. AP Photo

Hirving Lozano 7 – Proved dangerous after moving to the left after half time, as the Napoli winger looked to cut inside and shoot. Thought he had provided Mexico with a third goal, but Martin was offside in the build-up. Getty Images

Orbelin Pineda 7 – An enthusiastic cameo from the AEK Athens man as he radiated confidence on the ball and constantly looked to open up the Saudi defence. EPA

Alexis Vega 6 – Had an early chance after getting in behind the Saudi defence but it was smothered by Al Owais. He was replaced by Antuna at half time. EPA

Henry Martin 8 – Involved in plenty of the action, and the livewire scored from close range to hand Mexico the lead just three minutes into the second half. Could have scored Mexico’s third, but he thrashed at the chance in a promising position. Getty Images

SUBS: Uriel Antuna (Vega, 46) 6 – Tried to make things happen after coming on, and he thought he had scored the crucial third goal, but he could not time his run and was correctly adjudged offside. Getty Images

Raul Jimenez (Martin, 77) 5 – Could not make an impact after being thrown on to find the third goal. AFP

Carlos Rodriguez (Pineda, 77) N/A. Getty Images

Kevin Alvarez (Sanchez, 86) N/A. Reuters

Rogelio Funes Mori (Alvarez, 86) N/A. Reuters

Seemingly everywhere, Saudi's support helped bring the World Cup to life, even if those enquiring about Messi’s whereabouts in the aftermath of the 2-1 triumph can now be quietened somewhat with: “The last 16, don’t you know?”

Prior to Mexico, Renard warned his players that, should they not get through, they would be forgotten 30 years from now. But that was presumably purely another attempt to extract another drive from his battle-weary troops.

They could not answer the rally cry, although Salem Al Dawsari’s winner against Argentina will unquestionably live long in the memory. With two goals this tournament – if only Wojciech Szczesny had not repelled that penalty – the Al Hilal winger climbed to three in the World Cup in all, moving alongside Sami Al Jaber as his country’s standout scorer at the global finals.

Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard shouts instructions to his players against Mexico. AFP

Meanwhile, Al Owais, Mohammed Kanno, Hassan Tambakti and Saud Abdulhamid are just a few that depart Doha with reputations significantly enhanced.

Deep inside Lusail Stadium in the early hours of Thursday, Renard reflected on what had gone before, and reached still for the positives.

“We did our best and we will not forget the work we did together,” he said. “I am proud to work with the team and the players, but we did not deserve to win today.”

Arguably, on the evidence of the three matches, Saudi did not deserve to go home so soon. But they will surely come again, with the 2023 Asian Cup an obvious and attainable next objective. Renard, in theory, will be there for that, and for the 2026 World Cup as well, having signed a contract to 2027.

No doubt, both he and his team will be better for their Qatar experience.