Mexico has always been a fixture in the World Cup Round of 16 – El Tri has reached the knockout stage in seven consecutive tournaments. But a poor start to the tournament leaves them needing some last-day magic to get there.
El Tri entered the tournament with some fears for their attack – they weren’t convinced in the pre-Qatar friendlies, and star winger Jesus “Tecateto” Corona suffered an injury in October that forced him to miss the tournament. Mexico began their World Cup campaign with a goalless draw against Poland and a 2-0 loss against Argentina in two matches as the attack remained largely toothless. He now needs a big win against Saudi Arabia just to have a chance of reaching the knockout stage.
The Green Falcons were the story of the first round when they stunned Lionel Messi and Argentina with a 2-0 victory. But the ensuing loss to Poland means they also need a win to ensure qualification to the last 16.
With all there is to play in Group C, this match will be crucial in determining who gets the coveted knockout points.
Follow here for live updates, highlights, and key plays throughout the match (update to latest updates).
Knockout stage scenarios for each World Cup team
Here are the lineups for each team:
Full World Cup squads:
Mexico
goalkeepersRodolfo Cota (Leon), Guillermo Ochoa (Club America), Alfredo Talavera (Juarez)
The Defenders: Kevin Alvarez (Pachuca), Nestor Araujo (Club America), Gerardo Artia (Genk), Jesus Gallardo (Monterrey), Cesar Montes (Monterey), Hector Moreno (Monterrey), Jorge Sanchez (Ajax), Johann Vazquez (Cremon Vazquez)
moderatorsEdson Alvarez (Ajax), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas Guadalajara), Uriel Antona (Cruz Azul), Luis Chavez (Pachuca), Andres Guardado (Real Betis), Eric Gutierrez (PSV Eindhoven), Hector, Orb Herenera (Houston Dynamo) ). (AEK Athens), Carlos Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Luis Romo (Monterrey)
attackersHirving Lozano (Napoli), Raul Jimenez (Wolves), Henry Martin (Club America), Rogelio Funes Morey (Monterrey), Alexis Vega (Chivas Guadalajara)
Kingdom Saudi Arabia
goalkeepers: Nawaf Al-Aqidi (Al-Nasr), Muhammad Al-Owais (Al-Hilal), Muhammad Al-Yami (Al-Ahly).
The Defenders: Saud Abdul Hamid (Al-Hilal), Abdul-Ilah Al-Omari (Victory), Muhammad Al-Buraik (Al-Hilal), Ali Al-Bulayhi (Al-Hilal), Sultan Al-Ghanam (Victory), Yasser. Al-Shahrani (Al-Hilal), Abdullah Mado (Victory), Hassan Timbakti (Al-Shabab)
moderators: Abdul Rahman Al-Aboud (Al-Ittihad), Nasser Al-Dosari (Al-Hilal), Salem Al-Dosari (Al-Hilal), Salman Al-Faraj (Al-Hilal), Ali Al-Hassan (Al-Nasr), Abdul-Ilah. Al-Maliki (Al-Hilal), Sami Al-Naji (Al-Nasr), Hattan Bahbari (Al-Shabab), Muhammad Qano (Al-Hilal), Abdullah Atif (Al-Hilal), Riyadh Al-Sharahili (Abha).
attackersNawaf Al-Abed (Al-Shabab), Firas Al-Buraikan (Al-Fateh), Saleh Al-Shehri (Al-Hilal). Haitham Asiri (Al-Ahly)
