Mexico debuted in the World Cup with an entertaining 0-0 draw against Poland at Qatar’s 974 Stadium. Mexico failed to score despite dominating the game but will still have been relieved after Polish star striker Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty that could have turned the game around.
‘El Tri’ took the initiative from the first minute, following the lead of their animated stadium supporters, playing an aggressive game of attack and pressing while Poland hoped for a fast break.
The Mexicans came close with headers from Alexis Vega and Henry Martin, while a last-minute defensive lunge stopped Jesús Gallardo from scoring an open goal.
The video assistant referee (VAR) system was once again a key player after spotting a soft but clear Héctor Moreno shirt grab on Lewandowski in one of Poland’s rare incursions into rival territory, awarding a penalty that might have been ignored in the pre-VAR era.
But goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa became the hero after diving left to save the striker’s weak shot, preventing what would have been an undeserved Polish winner.
The match was seen as the decisive one in Group C, where bookies had Argentina as clear favorites, with Mexico and Poland theoretically fighting for the second and last spot in the group stage. But Group C was turned on its head earlier today as Saudi Arabia shocked Argentina with a 2-1 win in its debut, and now all scenarios seem possible.
Mexico faces regional rival Argentina on Saturday, in what coach Gerardo Martino said was now the new “key game” to advance to the next round.
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