World Cup: What Mexico needs to advance to the knockout round
Mexico is in a tough spot heading into its World Cup match Wednesday against Saudi Arabia (Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET on FS1), after losing to Argentina 2-0 over the weekend.
El Tri currently only have one point, from an opening draw with Poland, putting them at the bottom of Group C.
If Mexico fails to advance it will be the first time since 1978 that the misses the knockout stage.
Mexico cannot advance without beating Saudi Arabia, one of the surprises of the tournament.
Mexico will need help from Argentina or Poland to keep their streak going.
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2:58 p.m.
Mexico beats Saudi Arabia 2-1, but it is not enough to advance. Mexico misses out on the knockout stage for the first time since 1978.
2:56 p.m.
Saudi Arabia scores. Devastating for Mexico.
2:55 p.m.
Argentina beats Poland 2-0. Mexico needs a goal at the death to advance.
2:50 p.m.
Another goal for Mexico waived off on an offsides call. Mexico needs a goal to advance.
2:49 p.m.
6 minutes of stoppage time in Poland-Argentina. Mexico needs Argentina to score or a goal themselves to advance.
2:37 p.m.
Here's where the fair play tiebreaker stands: Poland has 4 yellow cards, Mexico has 7. That means Poland would advance and Mexico would be out of the tournament.
2:26 p.m.
Argentina takes a 2-0 lead! Mexico and Poland are tied on goals scored. After goal differential and goals scored it goes to fair play
These are the point deductions according to the fair play system:
Yellow cards: -1
Indirect red card: -3 (as a result of a second yellow card)
Direct red card: -4
Yellow card and direct red card: -5 (with only one of the deductions applied to a player in a single game)
2:19 p.m.
Mexico puts another in the net, but is offsides! Mexico's goal differential sits at 0, Poland is at +1.
2:16 p.m.
An absolutely amazing goal from Mexico puts them up 2-0. El Tri still trails Poland on goal differential by 1. Either Mexico needs to score 1 or Poland needs to give up another. If Mexico and Poland tie on goal differential Mexico would advance on goals scored.
2:11 p.m.
Mexico takes the lead over Saudi Arabia! El Tri still trails Poland on goal differential. Poland's goal differential sits at +1, Mexico is at -1.
2:09 p.m.
Argentina takes a 1-0 lead over Poland. That makes it tough for Mexico to move on. Even if Mexico goes on to beat Saudi Arabia. They would not advance on goal differential.
If Poland beats Argentina
The easiest way for El Tri to move on to the Round of 16 is if they win, and Poland beats Argentina. In that scenario, Mexico would finish second in the group and live on to play at least one more game.
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If Argentina beats Poland
If Argentina wins, Mexico can advance if things get a bit crazy.
The first tiebreaker in the tournament is goal differential. Mexico's current goal differential sits at -2, while Poland is at +2.
So Mexico fans, if Argentina is winning you should root for a blowout.
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If Argentina and Poland Tie
If Poland and Argentina tie, Mexico will need to win by a lot.
A tie would put Mexico and Argentina with the same number of points. Argentina's goal differential is currently +1. Mexico would need to win by at least 3.
If the teams have the same number of points and the same goal differential, the tiebreaker moves to total goals scored. Argentina has scored 2 goals this tournament. Mexico still sits at 0.
DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 22: Robert Lewandowski of Poland has his penalty saved by Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Mexico and Poland at Stadium 974 on November 22, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Jame
When Would Mexico Play Next?
Mexico cannot win Group C. If they do advance in the tournament they are a lock to play against the winner of Group D Sunday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. ET.
France, the reigning World Cup champions, are currently on top of Group D, but there is an outside chance that Australia could come in first in the group.