Saudi Arabia v Mexico
Ali Al Hassan headed narrowly wide for Saudi Arabia

Mexico went out of the World Cup on goal difference after losing to Saudi Arabia in a thrilling match.

With Argentina beating Poland 2-0 in Group C at Stadium 955 and Mexico leading by the same score at Lusail Stadium in the 94th minute, they needed one more goal to stay alive.

The Mexicans were distraught when Salem Al Dawsari's goal for Saudi Arabia made the difference.

The match broke into action two minutes after the break as Henry Martin finished Cesar Montes' flick on.

Luis Chavez curled a 30-yard free-kick into the top corner to send Mexico's fans into a frenzy.

They thought they had another, but the strike was ruled out for an obstruction and Martin volleyed over from 12 yards away.

Mexico was the one pushing for more goals. Orbeln Pineda curled narrowly away from the free-kick that Mohammed Al Owais palmed out.

When Uriel Antuna stroked in late on, Mexico thought they had sealed progression, but that too was flagged for inaccuracy and they went out in the most painful way.

Agony for Mexico

The first half was boring and the drama in the second will live on.

Thousands of Saudi fans made the trip across the border for a game in which victory would have secured a spot in the knockout stage.

Both sides went out of the competition because they didn't put Mexico under enough pressure.

At one point, Mexico were on the verge of being knocked out because they had collected more yellow cards than Poland.

Mexico fans were left disappointed at the end of the game, with some remaining after the final whistle with their heads in their hands.

Martin's opener from close range and Chavez's peach of a free-kick gave them hope, but two goals were ruled out.

The previous eight World Cups have seen a sequence of progression to the round of 16.

One of the biggest shocks in World Cup history happened when Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina in the opening game, but they finished bottom of the group.

Ali Al Hasan almost headed in on the stroke of half-time, but his free-kick narrowly missed the target.

The crowd at the stadium was mostly from Saudi Arabia and they went home with one last cheer.

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