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Saudi Arabia v Mexico LIVE: World Cup last 16 showdown to go down to the wire

talksport.com, 29 November 2022, 12:02
Saudi Arabia and Mexico will both be bidding for a spot in the World Cup last 16 when they meet in the final game in Group C.

At least one of Argentina and Poland are set to drop points in the other match meaning all four sides can still finish in the top two.

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Saudi Arabia stunned Lionel Messi and co in their first World Cup game before they were brought back to earth with defeat to Poland.

Herve Renard's side remain two points clear of Mexico in third, who know nothing but a victory will keep them in contention.

Saudi Arabia v Mexico: talkSPORT coverage

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This World Cup Group H clash will take place on Wednesday, November 30.

The match will at the Lusail Stadium will kick-off at 7pm.

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Saudi Arabia v Mexico: Squads and team news

Saudi Arabia will be without Abdulelah Al-Malki due to suspension, meaning Nawaf Al-Abed could come in.

Mexico meanwhile will likely be missing veteran Andres Guardado after he was forced off against Argentina through injury.

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Saudi Arabia

Goalkeepers: Mohammed Al-Owais, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Mohammed Al-Yami

Defenders: Hassan Tambakti, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Abdullah Madu, Saud Abdulhamid, Sultan Al-Ghanam, Mohammed Al-Breik, Yasser Al-Shahrani, Ali Al-Hassan

Midfielders: Abdulellah Al-Malki, Riyadh Sharahili, Abdullah Otayf, Mohamed Kanno, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Salman Al-Faraj, Sami Al-Najei, Salem Al-Dawsari, Hattan Bahebri

Forwards: Fahad Al-Muwallad, Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, Haitham Asiri, Firas Al-Buraikan, Saleh Al-Shehri

Mexico

Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa, Alfredo Talavera, Rodolfo Cota

Defenders: Jorge Sanchez, Kevin Alvarez, Netor Araujo, Johan Vasquez, Hector Moreno, César Montes,Gerardo Arteaga, Jesus Gallardo

Midfielders: Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera, Carlos Rodriguez, Erick Gutierrez, Luis Chavez, Edson Alvarez, Orbelin Pineda, Luis Romo

Forwards: Alexis Vega, Hirving Lozano, Raul Jimenez, Roberto Alvarado, Uriel Antuna, Henry Martin, Rogelio Funes Mori

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Saudi Arabia v Mexico: Match facts

Across Mexico's first two World Cup games of 2022, no player has had more than one shot on target so far (five in total - Sánchez, Lozano, Martín, Antuna and Vega), while five shots on target is their lowest tally after two games of a World Cup since 1966 (4).

Salem Al Dawsari has attempted more shots (5) and created more chances (4) than any Saudi Arabia player at the 2022 World Cup. Currently on two World Cup goals, Al Dawsari is one behind the all-time record goalscorer for Saudi Arabia at the tournament (Sami Al Jaber, three goals).

Having scored two goals from just three shots against Argentina on MD1, Saudi Arabia drew a blank despite firing in 16 attempts on goal against Poland last time out. Only against Cameroon in 2002 (17) have Saudi Arabia ever had as many or more shots in a World Cup match without scoring.

Each of the last 12 goals Mexico have conceded at the World Cup have come in the second half, with six of those being conceded in the final 10 minutes.

Mexico have failed to score in each of their last four World Cup games, since Chicharito netted against Korea Republic in 2018, despite having 49 shots on goal across those four matches (just nine on target).

Saudi Arabia have only kept one clean sheet in their 18 matches at the World Cup, conceding 42 goals at the finals (2.3 per game). Indeed, among teams with at least 10 games played, they have the lowest clean sheet ratio in the tournament's history (6%).

Mexico are winless in their last four World Cup games (D1 L3), while only once in their history have they been on a longer such run at the tournament, failing to win their first 13 games between 1930 and 1962 (D1 L12).

Saudi Arabia are looking to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup for only a second time, and first since their first ever participation in 1994, when they were eventually eliminated from the second round by Sweden.

This is Saudi Arabia's 19th game at the FIFA World Cup, with all 19 coming against different opponents. It's the most any nation has played in the competition without ever playing the same side more than once.

Mexico have never lost against Saudi Arabia in all competitions (W4 D1), with all five meetings between the sides coming between 1995 and 1999.

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