Saudi Arabia vs Mexico – Saudi Arabia and Mexico meet off Wednesday at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in World Cup 2022 Group C. All four teams still have a shot at the last 16 if Argentina or Poland drop points in their top-two tussle.
Herve Renard’s Saudi Arabia lost 2-0 against Poland at the weekend and missed out on a historic knockout spot. Wojciech Szczesny saved Salem Al-penalty Dawsari’s before Piotr Zielinski and Robert Lewandowski scored. It was Lewandowski’s first World Cup goal at age 34.
Saudi Arabia is third in Group C, but three points against Mexico would send them to the knockout stages for only the second time, after reaching the last 16 in 1994.
A draw may be enough if Poland beats Argentina by at least three goals, but they’ve won only four of their past 19 matches in all competitions, and they’ve had just 6% clean sheets in the World Cup.
Mexico learned the hard way not to give Lionel Messi too much room on the edge of the box as the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner set Argentina on their path to a 2-0 triumph to increase his fellow Americans’ elimination concerns.
Messi scored in the 64th minute, and Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez sealed the win with a curling attempt, threatening Mexico’s string of top-two finishes.
El Tri has advanced to the knockout stages of every World Cup since 1994 and has not been eliminated in the group stage since 1978. Gerardo Martino’s side must win and hope that Poland’s match against Argentina goes in their favour.
Mexico must beat Saudi Arabia by four goals to qualify if Poland and Argentina draw, and by five if Argentina beats Europe.
Mexico will advance if they win and Poland beats Argentina, but they haven’t scored in 2022 – only Tunisia hasn’t scored in two games.
Mexico has four wins and a draw from five games with Saudi Arabia, but the most recent was in 1999. Renard’s team need fear no foe in their drive for a top-two finish.
Saudi Arabia vs Mexico – Betting Analysis
Abdulelah Al-blunder Malki’s resulted to Lewandowski’s goal in Saudi Arabia’s loss against Poland, therefore Nawaf Al-Abed may replace Renard in midfield.
Riyad Sharahili could provide extra defense after recovering from injury, leaving Yasir Al-Shahrani and Salman Al-Faraj as Saudi Arabia’s lone absentees.
Another goal for Al-Dawsari would tie him with Sami Al Jaber as Saudi Arabia’s top World Cup scorer with three goals. Renard said before the loss to Poland that Al-Dawsari was fit and ready to go.
Andres Guardado was pulled off after 42 minutes against Argentina with a muscular injury, although the extent of the damage remains unknown.
Guardado’s absence should prompt Ajax to recall Edson Alvarez, and Martino should contemplate reverting to a four-man defense.
Raul Jimenez will earn his 100th cap for El Tri on Wednesday and would want to celebrate with a goal or two.
Goal-fests haven’t been a motif of the 2022 World Cup so far, but an end-to-end battle should be on the menu here given what’s at stake for both sides, especially two who could be more exposed in midfield with their respective absences.
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Dawsari is a threat in the last third, but we believe Mexico will rediscover their shooting boots and secure a win that may be enough for qualification.
Saudi Arabia vs Mexico – Head to Head
Our Prediction: Away Win or Draw
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