Saudi Arabia, Tunisia Leave World Cup

Sports

December 1st, 6:11am

Asharq A-Awsat

Saleh Al-Shehri (C) of Saudi Arabia in action against Jorge Sanchez (R) of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group C soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, 30 November 2022. EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh

Saudi Arabia’s Salem Aldawsari scored on Wednesday in second-half stoppage time against Mexico. But Saudi Arabia was eliminated along with Mexico despite beating Argentina in its opening match. Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2-1. Saudi Arabia had one of the tournament’s biggest ever upsets ever when it beat Argentina 2-1. But the Green Falcons couldn’t pull off another surprise in its second match, a 2-0 loss to Poland. “Tonight it was difficult to breathe with the intensity Mexico put into the match," Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard said Wednesday. Also Wednesday, Tunisia stunned France when captain Wahbi Khazri stretched to poke the ball past French goalkeeper Steve Mandanda in the 58th minute at the Education City Stadium. A second-string France side -- already virtually assured of top spot -- suffered a 1-0 loss to Tunisia. The north Africans' supporters counted down the final seconds to a famous victory over France that eased the pain of elimination. "They still had top-class players out there but we were superb and I think the result is down to us," Tunisia goalscorer Khazri said. "Unfortunately in football it is better not to have to rely on others for results, but we can go out with our heads held high."

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4017976/saudi-arabia-tunisia-leave-world-cup