FIFA World Cup 2022: How Saudi Arabia demonstrated tolerance by preventing Mexico from advancing to the knockouts – tactical analysis

After defeating Argentina in the opening game, Saudi Arabia went on to lose 2-0 against Polands Robert Lewandowski. On the other hand, Mexico was on the losing end, securing just a tie against Poland with one point on the board. Mexico won the game but were eliminated due to the goal difference with just one goal below Poland.

Despite having the opportunity to continue to the knockout stages, both teams drowned out each other, enabling Argentina and Poland to proceed. Despite losing, Saudi Arabias only goal proved heartbreaking for the Mexicans.

This tactical analysis will reveal how Mexico fell one goal shy of qualifying for the round of 16 after defeating Saudi Arabia. We will also look at the tactics used by both managers.

Lineups

Hervé Renard proceeded with his preferred 4-4-2 formation vs Mexico in his third group-stage encounter. He made a few changes to the starting eleven to acquire a lot better grasp of the concept. Mohammed Al-Owais began between the sticks as he has been in exceptional form in the World Cup. Abdulelah Al-Amri and Al-Tambakti, the 23-year-old covered the centre of defence accompanied by Ali Al-Bulaihi on the left and Sultan Al-Ghanam on the right.

Saud Abdulhamid, the 23-year-old joined Ali Al-Hassan to form the centre midfield. Saleh Al-Shehri and Mohammed Kanno played as the right and left forwards with Firas Al-Buraikan and Salem Al-Dawsari, the number 10 on the right and the left wing.

Former Barcelona manager Martino had employed the same formation he had used against Poland in the previous game. It was a hybrid 4-2-3-1 with just one alteration to the starting eleven as the Atletico Madrid star Héctor Herrera, was replaced by Orbelín Pineda in the middle. As usual, it was Francisco Ochoa in the goal with César Montes and Héctor Moreno as the centre-backs. Jesús Gallardo and Jorge Sánchez were left undisturbed in the starting eleven.

Luis Chávez and the Ajax star Edson Álvarez began as the pivots in front of the defensive line with Pineda immediately above them and tucked in behind the centre-forward to construct a triangle. Ernesto Vega and Hirving Lozano manned the left and right sides with Henry Martín as the sole striker.

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