November 30, 2022 World Cup news and highlights

Mexico's Orbelin Pineda, left, and Saudi Arabia's Mohamed Kanno challenge for the ball.

Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their final group stage match but it won’t be enough to send El Tri through to the knockout stage.

Both Mexican goals came early in the second half. In the 47th minute, Henry Martín got on the end of an El Tri corner to get his team’s first goal of the tournament. Five minutes later, Luis Chávez scored on a booming free kick to make it 2-0.

A goal by Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al Dawsari in extra time all but sealed Mexico’s elimination from the World Cup.

In the other Group C match, Argentina defeated Poland 2-0. With these results, Poland and Mexico finish even on points but Poland had a better goal differential.

Argentina and Poland finish first and second in Group C and move on to the round of 16.

Poland, which advanced into the knockout stage for the first time since 1986, will next play France on Sunday, while Argentina will face Australia on Saturday.

Poland's Karol Swiderski, left, and Argentina's Enzo Fernandez battle for the ball.

The fate of Poland’s advance to the knockout stage rested on the result of the match between Mexico and Saudi Arabia.

After Argentina defeated Poland 2-0, Poland was level with Mexico on goal differential, and was going to the Round of 16 based purely on having fewer yellow cards (fair play points.)

Had Argentina or Mexico scored another goal, the outcome would have been different. But it was not meant to be.

Argentina advances atop Group C with Poland in the second spot. Mexico and Saudi Arabia go home.

Saudi Arabia makes it 1-2 against Mexico late in 2nd half stoppage time.

Argentina's Enzo Fernandez embraces Julian Alvarez after Alvarez scored a goal against Poland.

Argentina has advanced to the Round of 16 after beating Poland 2-0 on Wednesday.

The Argentinians dominated the match and had several other near misses. Lionel Messi also failed to convert a penalty in the first half after Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny came up with a phenomenal right-hand save in the 39th minute.

Szczesny was spectacular in the first half, repelling Argentina’s attack time after time. The Polish keeper recorded a remarkable nine saves in the opening half.

In the second half, Argentina’s attacking prowess finally broke through in the 46th minute, when Alexis Mac Allister one-timed a cross from Nahuel Molina past Szczesny.

Julian Alvarez doubled La Albiceleste’s lead in the 68th minute with a shot to the right top corner for the score. 

With the victory, Argentina advances out of Group C, winning it with six points. It will play Australia in the next round.

Despite the loss, Poland advances as runners-up and will next play France.

After a frustrating first half, Argentinian fans are ecstatic after the team scored its second goal of the evening. The stands are filled with white and blue stripes cheering.

This World Cup has been a roller coaster of emotions for Argentina and the team’s devoted fans. After being stunned in the first game by Saudi Arabia, Lionel Messi then led them to a win they desperately needed against Mexico.

Messi missed a penalty against Poland, but now that they’re winning the game 2-0, these fans can relax and enjoy the game.

There were fans with tears in their eyes when Alexis MacAllister put Argentina ahead at Stadium 974, this second goal by Julian Alvarez means they can start making plans for the round of 16.

Julian Alvarez of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal against Poland.

Julian Alvarez scored Argentina’s second goal in the 68th minute of the match! The pressure is on Poland to open its account.

What’s at stake: At this moment, Poland and Mexico are even on goal differential. So Poland would advance to the Round of 16, based on fair play points, which is the number of yellow and red cards received by teams during the tournament.

But another goal from Argentina or a goal from Mexico in the other match would deny Poland a spot in the knockout rounds.

Mexico's Luis Chavez celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Saudi Arabia.

Mexico has doubled its advantage on Saudi Arabia, 2-0.

Luis Chávez just hit a rocket from a free kick into the top corner of the Saudi goal.

Mexico's Henry Martin scores a goal against Saudi Arabia.

Mexico has taken the lead 1-0 over Saudi Arabia.

Henry Martín converts after getting on the end of an El Tri corner kick. It’s the Mexicans’ first goal of the 2022 World Cup.

Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal against Poland on Wednesday.

The half-time rest did the Argentinians some good.

In the second minute of play, Alexis Mac Allister buried the ball in the net after an assist from Nahuel Molina.

The second half has begun in Mexico vs Argentina. The teams went into the break tied 0-0.

The two countries are looking for that opening goal in the second half.

Fans are out in full force cheering on their teams in two high-stakes matches on Wednesday. Poland is facing Argentina while Saudi Arabia takes on Mexico in the final matches of Group C.

Fans packed into the Qatar stadiums wearing their teams’ colors.

Here’s what it looked like inside:

Argentina supporter Carlos Pascual, also known as "El Tula," bangs a drum ahead of the start of the match between Argentina and Poland on Wednesday.

A Mexico supporter waits for the start of the match between Mexico and Saudi Arabia.

Poland fans show their support before the match.

Saudi Arabia fans cheer before the match.

Mexico fans show their support.

Argentina fans fill the stands prior to the start of the match.

Saudi Arabia fans enjoy the pre-match atmosphere.

Argentina dominated possession during the first half, which featured several exciting attempts at goal – and included a penalty kick by none other than Lionel Messi. But the team failed to convert any of the opportunities.

Poland’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was kept busy, with the match played mostly in the Polish half of the pitch. Szczesny made nine saves — including blocking Messi’s penalty kick.

The Polish attack has been lacking so far.

Feras Albrikan of Saudi Arabia jumps for the ball.

Mexico and Saudi Arabia are in a scoreless tie after the first 45 minutes of the match.

Mexico applied a lot of pressure in the first half but couldn’t find the final touch to get on the scoreboard. El Tri is still looking for its first goal at the 2022 World Cup.

In the other Group C match, Argentina and Poland are also knotted 0-0. If the results hold, Poland wins the group and Argentina finishes second. Both Mexico and Saudi Arabia would be going out.

Wojciech Szczesny of Poland hits the face of Lionel Messi of Argentina resulting in a penalty.

Poland’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesky stopped a penalty kick from Lionel Messi in the 38th minute – after Argentina was awarded a penalty following a VAR review.

The referee awarded the penalty after Szczesky struck Messi in the face during an attempted save near the goal line.

Score remains Argentina 0-0 Poland.

Ben White of England before the match between England and the United States on Friday.

England defender Ben White will miss the remainder of the 2022 FIFA World Cup due to “personal reasons,” the team announced on Wednesday.

According to the national team’s official website, White left the team’s training base in Al Wakrah, Qatar, to return home and will not return.

White missed the team’s training on Monday due to illness and did not play in Tuesday’s match against Wales. The 25-year-old did not play in any of England’s group play matches.

England is next scheduled to play in the Round of 16 against Senegal on Sunday.

The matches featuring Argentina vs Poland and Mexico vs Saudi Arabia have begun.

Argentina will play Poland and Mexico will face Saudi Arabia at 2 p.m. ET today in the finale of Group C. All four are vying to advance to the Round of 16, also called the knockout stage of the World Cup. But only two teams can qualify.

Here is how the scenarios need to shake out for each team to qualify.

Mexico and Saudi Arabia are set to play at 2 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the lineups:

Mexico

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Saudi Arabia

Argentina's Lionel Messi during gameplay against Saudi Arabia on November 22 in Lusail City, Qatar.

It was meant to be Lionel Messi’s crowning moment for Argentina – the tournament in which he steps out of Diego Maradona’s shadow for the national team – but the 2022 World Cup has been a mixed experience for the 35-year-old so far. 

Argentina was stunned by Saudi Arabia in its first game, before getting its campaign back on track with a 2-0 victory over Mexico in which Messi scored the opening goal. 

It means that with just a game left in Group C, Argentina remains in the hunt to progress to the knockout stages in Messi’s fifth World Cup campaign.

Argentina sits second on three points, a point behind Group C leader Poland, knowing a win in its final game against the Polish will assure its progression. 

Defender Lisandro Martinez said the team, including Messi, is only getting better. 

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