The final games of Group C will go down as one of the most dramatic nights of any World Cup.
While Mexico prevailed by the same score against Saudi Arabia, Poland and Mexico were tied on points, goals scored, conceded and goal difference.
by Gerardo Martino Mexico were looking at the prospect of abiding by Fifa’s fair play rule after picking up seven yellow cards to Poland’s five, and becoming the second team after Senegal four years ago to go out with that metric.
With seven minutes left in extra time, a Mexico goal would have completed the swing required for an unlikely progression to the Round of 16.
But Salem Al Dawsari’s consolation goal in injury time ended all hope for a remarkable revival of Mexico failing to win their first two matches.
“I am the man responsible for this frustration and this disappointment. It is a real sadness and I take full responsibility for this huge failure,” said Argentine Martino.
“We dominated the opposition, created more chances and we could have scored as many goals as needed.
“But we failed and I don’t think we got knocked out in previous matches, but rather today.”
Mexico exit the group stage for the first time since 1978, ending a run of eight consecutive chances to qualify for the knockout stage, while Poland’s reward is a meeting with defending champions France , Sunday (15:00 GMT).
“We knew we were going out”
The match at 974 Stadium had ended 2-0 and the one at Lusail Stadium – just 18 miles away – was the same scoreline with play continuing.
Asked by BBC Sport if he knew the result of the other game, Martino replied: “Yes. That’s why we went for the third goal and we added two centre-forwards together.
“The moment we knew Poland had fewer yellows [than us]we were going out and it was necessary at that time.
“We knew the result of Argentina’s 2-0 win and felt that unless many players were warned in the game against Poland, the results meant we were still out.”
Poland Boss Czeslaw Michniewicz said: “We had an agreement that only me and the technical staff would know what was going on in the match against Mexico.
“My heart sank a bit when Grzegorz Krychowiak was cautioned, we knew it was three points down and fair play was already taken into consideration.
“So Piotr Zielinski was supposed to leave but we substituted Krychowiak because for five minutes we didn’t have control of the game and couldn’t make the substitution, while he was endangered by the second yellow card.
“My technical staff told me there was only a difference of two or three yellow cards so it was very close, we were at a difficult moment where it was 2-0.
“Krychowiak’s mistake could have made us go back to the hotel and pack our bags, but now I hear that we are going to play against France.
“I told them to avoid stupid cards, we did anything to avoid any provocation, to avoid talking to the referees.”
“Madness – such a good game of football”
Preparing for the match was all about nervousness Saudi Arabia fans filled the subway, the boulevard and the stadium hoping to see a win that would take them to the knockout stage.
A local reporter said around 150,000 supporters crossed the border for the game, of whom more than 60,000 are believed to be at the game, far outnumbering Mexicans.
“Inshallah” (God willing) was the word on everyone’s lips, but at the final whistle it was the two groups of supporters in green who went home disappointed.
Saudi Arabia finished bottom of the group with a win – and what a win against Argentina – while Mexico’s goalless draw against Poland and loss to Lionel Scaloni’s side proved costly.
Henry Martin’s close-range goal and Luis Chavez’s superb free-kick fired up their small fan following, and the mariachi band behind the goal did their best to suck the ball into the net once more.
The Mexican players hugged at the final whistle knowing their journey was over, while fans sat in their seats long after the final whistle, some crying in disbelief.
“It was a crazy day of football with the twists and turns you get at this stage of the competition,” Gary Lineker said on BBC One.
Former Wales defender Ashley Williams said: “Madness. It was such a good game of football, whoever came through it.”
Festive tears for Poland
BBC Sport’s Andy Cryer at Stadium 974
From the moment Alex Mac Allister put a dominating Argentina ahead early in the second half against Poland, there was no doubt who won the game.
The doubt was whether Poland would survive and for most of the second half the players on the pitch looked pretty carefree. There was no rushing forward in search of a goal, they just held on and hoped not to lose more than the eventual 2-0 scoreline.
While the players may not have been aware of the drama unfolding, the small pocket of Polish supporters – who were drowned out by the incredible Argentinian backing – certainly weren’t.
Most of them were spending more time on their phones checking in on Mexico City v Saudi Arabia than they were watching their own – rather unfortunate – team.
Heads fell in the hands of many Poles as Mexico scored their second goal and, when Argentina earned the score 2-0, they knew they were surviving in the tournament on yellow cards alone.
Argentina were inches from goal in added time to stun Poland, but the final whistle didn’t end Poland’s agony.
Players and staff gathered, fans were glued to their screens, and then a cheer. Saudi Arabia had retired a goal against Mexico in stoppage time, Poland were now safe on goal difference rather than fair play.
A goal for Mexico would still have stunned Poland, guaranteeing a few more minutes of pain before the final whistle in Lusail was met with emotional scenes at 974.
Tearful fans hugged each other, some players charged in celebration, while others collapsed to the ground knowing they had been very, very lucky.
