Saudi Arabia v Mexico, 30 November 2022

Kick-off: 10.00pm local (7.00pm GMT) . FIFA world ranking: Saudi Arabia 51, Mexico 13 . Prior to kick-off in the final Group C games, it was possible that any two of the four teams could qualify for the knockout stages. . Mexico finished in third place behind Poland on a goal difference of one. Prior to Salem Al Dawsari’s added time goal, Mexico and Poland were level on points, goal difference and goals scored. Poland would still have progressed but only due to being shown fewer yellow cards (five to seven). . In 2018, Senegal became the first nation to fail to progress out of the group stages of the World Cup on the fair play rule. After finishing with identical records in their three group games, Japan were shown a total of three yellow cards compared to Senegal's five. . Saudi Arabia failed in their attempt to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup for only a second time; previously in their first-ever participation in 1994. . Saudi Arabia would have qualified with a win. A draw would have been enough if Poland defeated Argentina in the other game (Argentina won 2-0). Mexico had to win to stand any chance of progressing. . Salem Al Dawsari joined Sami Al Jaber as Saudi Arabia’s all-time record goalscorer at World Cup tournaments (three each). . Saudi Arabia had now played 19 games at the World Cup finals against 19 different nations. . Saudi Arabia had now kept one clean sheet in their 19 games at the World Cup finals. . Mexico had progressed from the group stage in each of their last seven World Cup finals participations. . Mexico avoided remaining without a win in five consecutive games at the World Cup finals for the first time since failing to win their first 13 games at the tournaments (1930 to 1962). . Mexico had failed to score in their preceding four games at the World Cup finals. . Raúl Jiménez made his 100th appearance for Mexico. . The last 13 goals that Mexico had conceded at the World Cup finals had all been scored in the second-half of games. . Mexico were unbeaten in five previous meetings with Saudi Arabia (won four). Mexico won the most recent meeting 5-1 in the FIFA Confederations Cup at the Azteca Stadium in July 1999. .