• 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Abdulrahman Al Aboud (Al Sheri, 62) 5 – Little chance to influence the game. Getty Images
  • Hattan Bahebri (Al-Ghanam, 88) N/A. 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Carlos Rodriguez (Pineda, 77) N/A. Getty Images
  • Kevin Alvarez (Sanchez, 86) N/A. Reuters
    Kevin Alvarez (Sanchez, 86) N/A. Reuters
  • Rogelio Funes Mori (Alvarez, 86) N/A. Reuters
    Rogelio Funes Mori (Alvarez, 86) N/A. Reuters

Saudi Arabia vs Mexico player ratings: Al Dawsari 7, Al Hassan 4; Chavez 9, Martin 8


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Mexico suffered an agonising exit from the World Cup on goal difference on Wednesday despite beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a dramatic finale to Group C.

Second-half goals from Henry Martin and Luis Chavez secured victory for Mexico at Lusail Stadium but they finished third behind Poland after Salem Al Dawsari's late strike.

Mexico desperately pushed for a third goal in an effort to improve their goal difference as they faced elimination on FIFA fair play rules but they fell short.

"That's why we went for it," said Mexico coach Gerardo Martino. "We knew Poland had fewer yellow cards and it was necessary in that moment because of the other result.

"It's a great sadness and I assume responsibility for this huge failure."

Updated: December 01, 2022, 5:29 AM