If anybody doubted Martino’s alternative relating to who needs to be underneath aim, they have been simply confirmed unsuitable right now. Ten minutes into the second half, keeper and crew captain ‘Memo’ Ochoa stopped a game-deciding PK from FC Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski to maintain Poland off the board and provides Mexico its first level of the 2022 World Cup in a match the place Mexico have been broadly anticipated to lose. The consequence comes because the second shock of Group C following Argentina’s loss to Saudi Arabia earlier right now.
Mexico not solely competed with their European rivals, however seemed higher throughout totally different passages of the match. Their backline have been basically flawless right now, other than Héctor Moreno’s psychological mishap when he tackled Lewandowski contained in the field. However Poland’s attackers have been hardly ever given area once they did determine to assault, and ultimately, solely managed 6 complete photographs (2 on course).
As anticipated, Poland retreated and waited on Mexico for a lot of the primary half, seeking to create hazard on counters and set items, however they hardly ever did. Mexico have been disciplined and bought again in a rush every time they misplaced the ball. It appeared that may finally value El Tri fitness-wise, as they’d clearly exerted a giant effort going backwards and forwards up the pitch, and Poland clearly have the gamers to make a ahead push and attempt to make one thing occur offensively in the event that they so select. It didn’t.
We bought some classic Héctor Herrera, as he was all the time effectively positioned, stole possession from Poland, and unfold the ball round effectively. Edson Álvarez didn’t make any expensive errors as he usually does. Luis Chávez sprung ahead and helped assist the assault with out disregarding his inside defensive duties. In brief, defensively talking, it’s arguably the soundest sport Mexico have carried out underneath ‘Tata’ Martino.
Offensively nonetheless, that’s an entire ‘nother story. As predicted, Mexico are lacking that umph within the closing third to assist them put video games away and earn them three factors. ‘Chucky’ Lozano was stupendous, creating a number of performs down Poland’s left flank, however there was nobody there to place his crosses away. Alexis Vega bought concerned at instances, tried a shot towards the tip that was means off, and simply couldn’t handle to be as efficient as Lozano.
Henry Martin was the largest disappointment of the day. He didn’t take part as a lot as you’d have needed and did not get open for one in every of his teammates to search out him with a cross. To place it plainly, he bought bottled up by Poland’s protection. His solely actual intervention of hazard was on a backwards header he deflected off an Edson Álvarez go, however wasn’t sufficient to throw off Szczesny and get previous him. He was in the end subbed off within the 71st minute in favor of Raúl Jiménez, who nonetheless walks and runs a bit of humorous. He simply doesn’t look absolutely healed, assured, or proper on the pitch for that matter but.
I’d’ve favored to see Rogelio Funes Mori up prime. His peak positively gave him the X-factor over Martin on this one and he may’ve made a distinction, particularly contemplating Mexico’s gameplan was centered across the wingers trying to find the striker via driving and crossing within the ball, which occurs to be Funes Mori’s specialty. Not that it will’ve modified something for sure, however a minimum of seeing him come on for Martin for the final 20-25 minutes would’ve been fascinating to say the least.
If Mexico’s protection continues to scrub up like they did right now, that can maintain them within the video games and doubtlessly assist them transfer on from the group stage. However the lingering situation will proceed to be the offense for the rest of the cup, as Mexico have lacked a real and constant goalscorer since Oribe Peralta’s departure.
In case you continue to had any doubt, right now’s man of the match was Mexico’s captain, 37-year outdated Guillermo Ochoa. He continues to return up large time and time once more for the Mexican NT, particularly in World Cups. Regardless of his flaws (the largest of all his incapability of timing and attacking crosses successfully), he’s managed to be the heroe for this squad on a number of events all through his profession.
Ultimately, it’s a scoreless draw that, let’s face it, is extra a win for Mexico, contemplating the expertise differential between the 2 squads in addition to the present second they’re going via, as Mexico have been on a downward spiral for the previous couple of years. With Saudi Arabia in agency management of Group C with 3 factors, Mexico are tied with Poland for 2nd with a degree apiece. Final are Argentina with 0 factors. Talking of which, up subsequent for Mexico: Messi and firm.