Mexico vs Poland live updates

Seeing as the last two games have been goalless draws, the world’s collective appetite for goals is ravenous.

France begin their defence of their title against Australia in 45 minutes, trying to avoid a curse which have seen the holders knocked out in the group stage of four of the last five tournaments.

Follow coverage here, with The Athletic’s Adam Hurrey, aka Football Cliches.

Jacob Whitehead

Wayne Rooney had a similarly unlucky run for England from 2006-14. Chin up Lewa, chin up.

You could have lost to Saudi Arabia.

Jacob Whitehead

0 – Robert Lewandowski has failed to score in any of his four games for Poland 🇵🇱 at the World Cup, failing with all 11 shots he has attempted in the tournament (4 on target). Strange. pic.twitter.com/98OQ1mJTPz

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 22, 2022

The Athletic’s Liam Tharme explains.

(PS, give his group guides a read – they’re excellent).

Jacob Whitehead

Across World Cup 2014, 2018 and now 2022, Ochoa has made 37 saves from 46 shots on target faced.

Those saves have prevented over 5 additional goals more than the average goalkeeper would be expected to (based on xG) — clutch.#mex #WorldCup2022 https://t.co/bBrsLHGjvt

— Liam Tharme (@LiamTharmeCoach) November 22, 2022

It’s like four square meals a day this – but the football doesn’t end here.

Head over to our blog of France vs Australia, the last match of today.

(Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Phil Hay·

Leeds United Correspondent

Cometh the hour, cometh Guillermo Ochoa. According to penalty data, Lewandowski’s spot-kick would only be saved 26 per cent of the time.

Full write-up here.

Jacob Whitehead

A draw won’t favor Mexico as they’ll feel forced to get three points against favoured Argentina. In the end tonight, Poland will feel much better about the result. Mexico were the better side but World Cup football is often a game of small margins. In that sense, Mexico will feel hard done after a hard fought match in Group C that keeps them alive but leaves them wanting more.

Felipe Cardenas·

Staff Writer, MLS

Bearing in mind that one of Poland’s chances was a penalty, this says it all.

Phil Hay·

Leeds United Correspondent

Mexico (0.69) 0-0 (1.04) Poland

— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) November 22, 2022

It’s all over. Goalless.

That really is the story of the game – a very tight contest in which neither side produced anywhere near enough.

But the headlines will be about Lewandowski’s penalty, a save which denied him his first World Cup goal.

Because of that, Poland will feel like the opportunity was missed but over 90 minutes of a poor game, Mexico had the better of it.

Group C is one to watch though. Incredibly difficult to call at this stage.

Phil Hay·

Leeds United Correspondent

90+6: Grzegorz Krychowiak pops up outside the box and whacks one from a mile out. Not too far away but far enough.

Mexico then go up the other end but make a mess of a good attacking position. It’s not happening, is it?

Phil Hay·

Leeds United Correspondent

90+5: A flurry from Poland down Mexico’s right and Kaminski produces a rising finish but Ochoa has the near post covered and isn’t going to let that past him.

Phil Hay·

Leeds United Correspondent

Argentina for Mexico, Saudi Arabia for Poland. Both games are played Saturday – Poland v Saudi Arabia first.

Four minutes of stoppage time left.

Phil Hay·

Leeds United Correspondent

Seven minutes added.

Which by Qatar’s standards so far, is quite stingy.

Can we find a winner?

Phil Hay·

Leeds United Correspondent

88: Arkadiusz Milik of Juventus is getting the last few minutes. Can he steal Lewandowski’s thunder – or indeed everyone’s?

Phil Hay·

Leeds United Correspondent

85: Another change for Mexico. Vega’s race is run. Uriel Antuna is on to replace him.

Phil Hay·

Leeds United Correspondent

83: Jimenez looks like he might be away as Poland find themselves short of numbers but Matty Cash gets back and Poland hustle him out of possession before he can get into the box and shoot.

Phil Hay·

Leeds United Correspondent

A talented player, Alexis Vega, but that was a bit wild and a bit desperate, a lashed effort from a long way out which was never bothering the Polish goal.

This has gone pretty flat and we’re into the final 10 minutes. To reiterate an earlier point, I’m not sure a 0-0 draw is a great result for either side. Not after the Saudis winning earlier.

Phil Hay·

Leeds United Correspondent

Elsewhere in the world of football, Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United are parting company in the wake of that Piers Morgan interview.

No surprise, all things consider, but a huge development nonetheless.

Any takers?

Portugal and Ronaldo play their first World Cup game against Ghana on Thursday.

Phil Hay·

Leeds United Correspondent

Manchester United have reached an agreement with Cristiano Ronaldo to terminate his contract.

More from @David_Ornstein #MUFC

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 22, 2022

76: On for a matter of minutes and Frankowski gets himself a booking. A foul from behind on Lozano and deserved a caution for that.

Hasn’t been a dirty game, it has to be said. But these are crucial moments now.

Phil Hay·

Leeds United Correspondent

Mexico have been pinging loads of crosses in that haven’t really found their target, lets see if Raul Jimenez can be the missing link. Has struggled since his serious head injury to rediscover his goalscoring form, especially with headers. Maybe tonight…

Adam Leventhal·

Watford Correspondent