AMLO congratulates the Mexican National Team after its participation in Qatar 2022

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador congratulated the Mexican National Team for its participation in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, after their last match in the group stage against Saudi Arabia and their failure to qualify for the round of 16.

“Congratulations to the National Team, in particular for today’s game that gave us moments of joy and hope. Cheer up! As expressed centuries ago in the Culhuacán Memorials: “As long as the world remains, fame and fame will not end glory of Mexico-Tenochtitlan”, López Obrador wrote on his social networks.

Mexico was eliminated from Qatar World Cup 2022 despite winning 2-1 Saudi Arabiathis Thursday in Doha, because it lost on goal difference against Poland, which advances to the round of 16 along with Argentina, which defeated it 2-0.

After a siege in the first half, El Tri broke to score in the second half, with goals from Henry Martín (47) and Luis Chávez (53), from a direct free kick. Insufficient to classify in a match that ended with a goal from Al-Dawsari (90+5).

“It was hard for me to breathe with the intensity of Mexico. We couldn’t keep possession because of the pressure, because of the high intensity of the duels,” Saudi coach Hervé Renard said.

In this group C, Argentina advances to the round of 16 as leader, with Poland second, while Mexico, with the same points as the European team (4), and Saudi Arabia are eliminated. El Tri had played in the World Cup round of 16 on the last seven occasions.

“A resounding failure, I am the maximum person in charge,” said the Mexican coach Gerardo Martino, confirming his departure: “My contract expired at the end of the game.”

Chavez, long distance

In the Lusail stadium, in front of 85,000 spectators, Luis Chávez spent the game looking for the goal from long range. In the first half he shot wide (2) and too centered (23).

At the beginning of the second it was intoned. He increased power and precision, triggering the corner kick with a save from goalkeeper Al-Owais that ended in Henry’s goal: he touched César Montes at the near post and the striker appeared in the six-yard box to “kill” it.

Then came Chávez’s big moment, when he unleashed a left-footed shot from 30 meters on a direct free kick that put Mexico close to qualifying and brought them to tears in celebration.

From the beginning, Martino’s team had launched into a whirlwind. The Argentine coach left behind the five defenders he had used in the defeat (2-0) against Argentina and recovered the 4-3-3 scheme of his debut against Poland (0-0).

“Chucky” Lozano took charge of the operations in the midfielder. A couple of skirmishes ended with passes into space could not be completed by Alexis Vega (3) and Henry Martín (15), their forward teammates.

In this first part, the goal (25, 27 and 41) was rounded by Orbelín Pineda, starting in midfield instead of Héctor Herrera.

Martino had qualified in the previous one that the problem of Tri It was not the lack of goal, but the difficulties to create chances.

This time his players were able to reach the area, but the lack of killing instinct doomed them.

Saudi Arabia he had responded to his rival’s attacks orderly and without losing his temper. He even allowed himself a couple of scratches, with high shots from Kanno (8 and 23), the second a direct free kick.

Al-Dawsari ends hopes

Although his best play came in the discount of the first half, in a long possession, with a header that was too crossed by Al-Hassan.

At halftime the goalkeeper “Memo” Ochoa he led the harangue of his team in the changing room tunnel and the Tri launched again for the pass to the second round.

After the goals from Henry and Chávez, the stands pushed and the Tri responded with an endless siege.

The third did not come, but El Tri received help from Argentina, which was 2-0 against Poland. It was not enough, a goal was missing.

Chávez continued with his exhibition and another direct free kick, which went to the squad, was taken out by Al-Owais with a great stretch (72).

With Mexico focused on achieving the miracle goal in Lusail, Al-Dawsari killed his illusions in discount.

(With information from AFP.)

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