Saudi Arabia and Mexico to meet in a must-win match in WC Group C.
Saudi Arabia vs Mexico - 30/11/2022
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It all comes down to the final day of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Group C for Saudi Arabia and Mexico. Both teams can still qualify for the round of 16, but the winning team will need some help from Poland and Argentina in Group C’s other match on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia shocked Argentina on matchday No 1 in Group C, coming from a goal down to win 2-1. The Green Falcons played on the front foot against Poland on matchday No 2 and it nearly paid off.
Herve Renard’s team had chances to score, including having a penalty saved, but could break down Poland’s defence. In the end, Saudi Arabia fell 2-0.
Mexico are Group C’s weakest team and are underachieving in the group stage. El Tri reached the round of 16 in the last seven editions of the FIFA World Cup. However, this year could see Mexico’s streak of reaching the last 16 broken.
El Tri drew nil-nil with Poland to open the tournament before losing 2-0 to Argentina on Saturday. Mexico are struggling to score goals, but they must get on the scoresheet against Saudi Arabia to have any hope of making the next phase.
Renard will likely use a defensive 4-1-4-1 formation to slow down the Mexicans. Mexico’s attack has looked promising, yet they do not have the players in the final third to score goals. Renard will hope to slow down El Tri’s offence in midfield to start counter-attacks.
Saudi Arabia left-back Yasser Al-Shahrani is out of the World Cup following a fractured jaw. He collided with goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais in the opening game, taking a knee in the face.
Mexico coach Gerard Martino will counter with a 3-5-2 formation. It will give Mexico width and the chance to exploit Saudi Arabia in wide areas.
Raul Jimenez was used against Argentina as a substitute but the Wolverhampton Wanderers player looks like a shell of his former self. Martino could play Rogelio Funes Mori in an attempt to get goals. Fellow striker Henry Martin could also be deployed. Neither played against Argentina.
The task for both teams is simple on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia and Mexico must win the game to have any hope of advancing to the next round. A loss or draw will do them no good.
Therefore, both teams are likely to throw caution to the wind and go for goals. The match should ultimately end 2-2 with neither side able to get the win. The tournament has seen 34% of games end with over 2.5 goals and 41% with both teams scoring.
The final group-stage matchday will make teams desperate and goals should be on the menu between Saudi Arabia and Argentina.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
WC
334522
X
2 - 2
2.56
26°
4.20
4.75
4.20
1.67
no
no
no
1 - 2(0 - 0)
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