Mexico fall short in Saudi thriller

Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in World Cup Group C on Wednesday but fell agonisingly short of reaching the last 16 on goal difference.

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El Tri started the final round of Group C fixtures in bottom spot but came so close to hurdling into the top two after second-half goals from Henry Martin and Luis Chavez, the latter scoring with a spectacular 25-yard free-kick.

With Poland en route to a 2-0 defeat to Argentina, Mexico knew unless they scored again they would be heading out of the competition because the Poles had collected fewer yellow cards with all other tie-breakers equal between the two nations.

But Mexican hopes were destroyed in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Saudi skipper Salem Al Dawsari worked a clever one-two with Hatan Bahbri and skilfully converted.

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Mexico had last suffered group-stage elimination in 1978, having reached the knockout phase in each of their previous seven World Cups.

The sides filled the bottom two spots at kick-off but still with plenty to play for as far as qualification for the last 16 was concerned.

Mexico boss Gerardo Martino left Wolves striker Raul Jimenez on the bench for the third time at this tournament as captain Andres Guardado missed out with a muscle injury.

Saudi Arabia named eight of the starting line-up who had beaten Argentina in their opening game for one of the great World Cup shocks, with injured skipper Salman Al Faraj a notable absentee.

There was huge support for Saudi Arabia inside the Lusail