Mexico fell painfully short of the last 16 of the World Cup as a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium left them behind Poland on goal difference.
Salem Al Dawsari s stoppage-time consolation sealed El Tri s elimination, although they were already on their way out by an even finer margin.
An inferior fair play record to Poland, who had already lost 2-0 to Argentina, was set to separate the sides until that point.
Mexico still had two minutes in which to add a decisive third to second-half strikes from Henry Martin and Luis Chavez, but the goal they had chased for so long proved beyond them.
Tata Martino s men perhaps paid for not making more of a first half they dominated, going closest when Mohammed Al Owais denied Alexis Vega in the third minute.
The second period initially went according to plan as Cesar Montes flicked Chavez s corner into the centre of the six-yard box, where Martin could not miss.
One quickly became two thanks to a sensational Chavez free-kick, but Hirving Lozano and substitute Uriel Antuna saw potentially precious goals ruled out for offside, leaving Mexico agonisingly short heading into stoppage time.
Full-time in the Poland match was followed by Al Dawsari strolling through to net an effort that ultimately meant little but felt like a heartbreaker for Mexico.
Mexico win but it is not quite enough! |
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup)
