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Saudi Arabia have nothing to be ashamed about after being eliminated from the World Cup following a 2-1 loss to Mexico on Wednesday.
The second-lowest ranked team in the tournament at No. 51 – one spot behind host Qatar – and ahead of only 61st-ranked Ghana, Saudi Arabia was competitive from start to finish at the first World Cup in the Middle East.
The Saudis opened with a surprising 2–1 victory over Argentina and also played solidly in a 2–0 loss to Poland before conceding two second-half goals to Mexico to finish last in Group C.
Salem Al-Dawsari, the team's star No. 10, pulled a goal back in stoppage time, before the Saudi players bent over on the field at the final whistle in prayer and then stood up to applaud their fans.
Strong goalkeeping from Mohammed Alowais prevented Mexico from scoring another goal – which could have sent the South Americans through to the round of 16. Instead, it was Argentina and Poland who advanced in the most wide-open group of the tournament.
Mexico win but it is not quite enough! @adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 30, 2022
Mexico's exit on goal difference ended a run of seven successive last-16 appearances at the World Cup. El Tri scored twice in five minutes in their thrilling last-ditch effort to stay in the World Cup.
In a simultaneous game, Poland and Argentina faced off. The match saw a Lionel Messi penalty saved, but Alexis Mac Allister's 46th-minute goal settled Argentina's nerves after a tense first half.
Julian Alvarez then doubled their lead just over 20 minutes later.
Poland offered little attacking threat, with star striker Robert Lewandowski virtually anonymous throughout. Instead it was left to goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny to take centre stage for the Poles, denying Messi with two crucial early stops.
Defending champions France won their World Cup group despite losing to Tunisia 1-0 Wednesday.
Wahbi Khazri scored in the 58th minute to give the Tunisians the victory, but it wasn't enough to get them into the round of 16. Australia beat Denmark 1-0 in other Group D game and finished second on goal difference.
Khazri ran at the heart of the French defence and beat two players before poking the ball into the bottom corner. It was Tunisia's third victory at a World Cup.
Tunisia defeat France but the holders finish top of Group D 👏#FIFAWorldCup | @adidasfootball
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 30, 2022
France forward Antoine Griezmann thought he had evened the score in the eighth minute of stoppage time but he was ruled offside following a video review.
Australia beat Denmark 1-0 to reach the last 16 of the World Cup for the second time in their history on Tuesday.
A 60th-minute goal from Mathew Leckie secured a battling win for Australia, who advanced to the knockout rounds after finishing second in Group D behind France.
(AFP, AP, Reuters)
Saudi Arabia have nothing to be ashamed about after World Cup elimination
Saudi Arabia have nothing to be ashamed about after being eliminated from the World Cup following a 2–1 loss to Mexico on Wednesday.
The second-lowest ranked team in the tournament at No. 51 – one spot behind host Qatar – and ahead of only 61st-ranked Ghana, Saudi Arabia was competitive from start to finish at the first World Cup in the Middle East.
The Saudis opened with a surprising 2–1 victory over Argentina and also played solidly in a 2–0 loss to Poland before conceding two second-half goals to Mexico to finish last in Group C.
Salem Al-Dawsari, the team's star No. 10, pulled a goal back in added time, before the Saudi players bent over on the field at the final whistle in prayer and then stood up to applaud their fans.
GOAL: Saudi Arabia 1–2 Mexico
Saudi Arabian midfielder Salem Aldawsari hits the back of the net, making it 1–2 to Mexico.
Coming in the 95th minute, the Falcons have essentially no chance of reaching the final 16 regardless.
However, their goal also makes it unlikely Mexico will be able to win by enough goals to put themselves through on goal difference.
Saudi Arabia score a goal that will be cheered all over Poland!
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 30, 2022
OFFSIDE: Saudi Arabia 0–2 Mexico
Mexico's Uriel Antuna almost takes Mexico to 3–0. They need a crucial third goal to advance into the World Cup's last 16.
Unfortunately for El Tri, a linesman's flag denied him.
GOAL: Poland 0–2 Argentina
Another goal for Argentina, this time after striker Julián Álvarez hits the back of the net.
The goal, which takes the score to 2–0, comes in the 67th minute.
GOAL DISALLOWED: Saudi Arabia 0–2 Mexico
Mexico looked like they'd scored a third in the 56th minute thanks to Hirving Lozano, not long after their second, only for it to be disallowed by VAR for offside.
GOAL: Saudi Arabia 0–1 Mexico
Mexico score in the 47th minute thanks to striker Henry Martín.
El Tri now lead by one goal to nil.
GOAL: Poland 0–1 Argentina
Argentina take the lead in the 46th minute thanks to midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.
The South American side now leads by one goal to nil.
Deadlock broken! 🔓
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 30, 2022
A first-ever international goal from Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister gives Argentina the lead against Poland! #BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup #FIFAWorldCup2022
Half-time: Both games 0–0
Both Saudi Arabia v Mexico and Poland v Argentina head into the break with the scores level at 0–0.
El Tri have been the stronger of the two sides in their clash with the Falcons.
In the other match, despite the Argentinians playing better than their Polish opponents, they've not managed to convert that into a goal.
MESSI PENALTY SAVED: Poland 0–0 Argentina
Lionel Messi takes a penalty for Argentina, only for Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny to make the save in the 40th minute.
The score remains 0–0.
MESSI'S PENALTY IS SAVED!
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 30, 2022
Wojciech Szczesny has saved his second spot-kick of the tournament 🤯🔥 Wow.#BBCWorldCup #FIFAWorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/GolmxSmbrM
Tunisia coach faces questions about his future at World Cup
Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri failed in his "personal mission" to get the national team through the group stage at the World Cup for the first time in its sixth attempt.
Now he's facing questions about whether he will stay in charge.
"I don't know why you insist that I resign. I have a contract that is based on objectives," Kadri said after his team beat defending champion France 1-0 on Wednesday.
"The objective was not fulfilled but we still have some time before making a final decision. It's up to the Tunisian [football] federation to decide what happens now."
Australia 1 - 0 Denmark
Tunisia loses its chance to progress into the knockout stages after Australia beat Denmark 1-0.
Tunisia beats France 1-0 in historic win... but out of tournament.
Tunisia beat France in its biggest ever victory at a World Cup game.
Tunisia defeat France but the holders finish top of Group D 👏#FIFAWorldCup | @adidasfootball
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 30, 2022
But despite this, the Carthage Eagles have failed to go through to the knockout stage due to Australia’s 1-0 win over Denmark in Group D’s other final fixture.
France's celebration after their last-minute equaliser was short-lived after VAR disallowed Griezmann's goal. Neverthless, Les Bleus progress onto the next stage.
Australia 1-0 Denmark
Mathew Leckie puts Australia in the lead in its match against Denmark.
TUNISIA SCORES!
Wahbi Khazri scores a goal for Tunisia, leaving the score 1-0 against France in a very decisive game before the knockout stage begins on Saturday.
Khazri puts Tunisia into the lead with a superb goal 🇹🇳
— FIFA World Cup 2022 (@2022_QatarWC) November 30, 2022
🇹🇳 Tunisia 1-0 France 🇫🇷pic.twitter.com/YmAnNkkbsd
Mbappe, Griezmann on bench for Tunisia game
Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann will be on the bench for France's clash against Tunisia at the World Cup as coach Didier Deschamps rung the changes for their final Group D game on Wednesday.
Forward Mbappe, who has scored three goals in the first two games, is given a breather as is attacking midfielder Griezmann and seven other players who started in the 2-1 win against Denmark last week.
France have already qualified and are almost certain of finishing top of the group while Tunisia will advance if they win and Australia draw against Denmark in the other game.
Arabs wait expectantly for crunch Saudi, Tunisia games
After savouring Saudi Arabia's historic World Cup victory over Argentina, Arab fans are hoping for a Saudi win against Mexico to keep the team in the tournament, while praying for a miracle for Tunisia as it takes on France on Wednesday.
The Qatar World Cup, the first to be hosted in the Middle East, has been a cause for celebration among many Arabs thanks to Saudi Arabia's defeat of two-times champions Argentina and a shock victory for Morocco over Belgium in the group stage.
The performances have generated a shared sense of pride among many Arab fans despite the numerous political tensions that crisscross their volatile region.
Read more about it here.
Make history or you will be forgotten says Saudi coach Renard
Saudi Arabia's players have the chance to write history if they qualify for the World Cup knockout stages, coach Herve Renard said on Tuesday.
🗣 "They have to make history or everybody will forget in 20 or 30 years."
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 30, 2022
Saudi Arabia head coach Herve Renard on his side qualifying for the Round of 16 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Pou58gg4lf
Saudi Arabia need to beat Mexico in their last Group C match at 10:00 PM (1900 GMT) on Wednesday to guarantee reaching the last 16 for the second time regardless of the outcome of the Poland versus Argentina game.
Saudi Arabia are third in the group with three points, behind Argentina on goal difference, while Poland have four points and Mexico are bottom with one point.
"Saudi Arabia have a good generation, and the only time the national team qualified for the last 16 was in 1994, so if the players want the fans to remember them, they should write history or they will be forgotten within 30 years," Renard told a news conference.
"All teams are strong, and we still have a chance in the third match. Mexico have a lot of experience in the World Cup and we have to fight to stay in the tournament."
Read more about it here.
Match against Argentina not a Lewandowski v Messi clash, Poland coach says
The clash between Poland and Argentina will be a duel of the two teams, not strikers Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi, Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz said on Tuesday before their decisive final World Cup Group C match on Wednesday at 10:00 PM (1900 GMT).
Poland top the standings on four points and will advance with a win or a draw. But they would be knocked out by a defeat coupled with a victory by Saudi Arabia over Mexico.
"Ever since the groups were drawn, the whole world has been waiting to see this match," Michniewicz told a news conference.
"It's a match between Poland and Argentina, not between Lewandowski and Messi."
"This match is not friendly," Michniewicz said. "It's going to be a fight between two teams who both can still progress."
Qataris hold up large Palestinian flag during Netherlands match
Fans attending the Qatar v Netherlands match on Tuesday - which saw the Oranjes beat the Maroons 2-0 - held up a large Palestinian flag, as Arabs from across the region have continued to express solidarity with the Palestinian people throughout the tournament.
A group of Qatar football fans hoisted a banner featuring the Qatari and Palestinian flag motifs with “Free Palestine” on it during the Netherlands vs Qatar match at the #FIFAWorldCup 2022 on Tuesday.
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) November 30, 2022
More: https://t.co/cZGihYosr2 pic.twitter.com/4yRnGe3Mg0
The World Cup - being hosted in an Arab country for the first time - has brought to the forefront the controversial subject of Arab normalisation with the Israeli regime, which has come as a stark reminder to the Israelis that the decisions taken by governments are not always a reflection of the will of the people.
Read more about it here.
FIFA names first female refereeing trio for a men's World Cup
Stephanie Frappart, Neuza Back and Karen Diaz will become the first all-female refereeing team for a men's World Cup match as they have been named to take charge of the Costa Rica-Germany Group E match on Thursday, FIFA announced on Tuesday.
History is set to be made on Thursday! 🤩
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 30, 2022
There will be an all-female refereeing trio taking charge for the first time at a men's #FIFAWorldCup in the match between Costa Rica and Germany.
Referee Stéphanie Frappart will be joined by assistants Neuza Back and Karen Diaz. 👏 pic.twitter.com/fgHfh2DICK
Frappart, the fourth official for the Poland-Mexico Group C clash last week, will be the main referee as she reaches another milestone after being the first female to officiate at a men's World Cup qualifier in March and Champions League match in 2020.
The 38-year-old Frenchwoman will be joined by Brazilian Neuza and Mexican Diaz as assistants.
(Reuters)