World Cup Rules Explained: Why Did Mexico Get Eliminated Despite Beating Saudi Arabia, Having the Same Points as Poland?

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar continues as Groups C and D wrap up their Group stage. Argentina advances but Mexico gets eliminated in Group C, while Tunisia upsets defending champions France. While Mexico won their match against Saudi Arabia, they still got eliminated. Why, though?

The simple answer is it is in FIFA's rules. While both teams were tied on four points via their win-loss record, FIFA rules state that in case of a draw in the group stages, several factors determine the tie-breaker, including points, goal differential, goals scored, head-to-head result, and drawing lots.

In the case of Mexico and Poland, they were tied on all other tiebreakers when they went to their respective last elimination matches. However, Mexico fell behind on goal differential following their match against Saudi Arabia when Salem Al-Dawsari scored a late-game goal that eliminated the Mexicans.

According to MLS, because of this, no "fair play" tiebreaker was needed and just the goal differential. In other words, the 2-1 victory by El Tris over the Saudis was not enough, even if Poland lost 2-0 against Argentina.

Lionel Messi and Argentina Top Group C With Win Over Poland

Argentina may have started the World Cup on a sour note when Saudi Arabia managed to get an upset win over them, but they ended the group stage in convincing fashion with a one-sided 2-0 win against Poland.

While this Argentina team's spotlight is on Lionel Messi, it was the squad's lesser-known players who truly shined that night. Alexis McAllister scored his first international goal just after half-time while Julian Alvarez sealed the game with his own goal.

According to FIFA's official website, Lionel Messi almost scored in the match via a penalty kick. However, Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczezny managed to stave off the legendary Argentinian's shot in a heroic fashion.

This clutch save gave Poland the advantage over Mexico in goal difference by one, eliminating El Tris and booking a match against defending World Cup champions France in the Round of 16. They faced Messi, and now they will have to face the thrilling Kylian Mbappe next. This time, with a lot more on the line.

Tunisia Upsets France While Australia Advances

Qatar seems to be a World Cup full of upsets as Tunisia defeated one of the tournament's favorites, France, who were without star player Kylian Mbappe, with a final score of 1-0. France decided to rest their star player for the match.

Coming into the match, France did not need to win, as they will be topping Group D regardless of who won. However, the North Africans were playing for pride against the Mbappe-less French.

Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazi managed to sink the French at the Education City Stadium with a second-half goal, and the opposing team was not able to recover after.

"It's mixed feelings because we're happy to beat a team like France," Tunisia manager Jalel Kadri told the BBC. "We can be proud and leave with our head high, but it is a bitter victory."

While Tunisia won, they were still eliminated when Australia defeated Denmark with a final score of 1-0. France topped Group D and will face Poland next, while Australia booked a ticket against Lionel Messi and Argentina in the Round of 16.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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