Mexico and Poland were battling it out in what will prove to be one of the most dramatic stories from this World Cup.
Both sides were fighting for a spot in the round of 16 as the Group C runner-up – and it was close to being decided on who had the fewest yellow cards.
Poland lost 2-0 against eventual table toppers Argentina, and at one point Mexico were leading Saudi Arabia 2-0.
This meant Poland and Mexico – fighting for that knockout stage place – were both level on goal difference, meaning the number of yellow cards they had received would be taken into account to decide who goes through as per FIFA’s fair play rules.
It was a unique situation and Mexico’s seven yellows from the group compared to Poland’s five would have seen the former crash out.
However, a goal from Saudi midfielder Salem Al Dawsari seconds before the final whistle in stoppage time meant Mexico were leaving at the group stage due to an inferior goal difference.
It was a crushing blow given they had battled so hard against Saudi Arabia.
However, they are now out of the World Cup and will not play in the round of 16 for the first time since 1978.
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Argentina finished top thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez, with Lionel Messi missing a penalty in the first half.
They will now face Australia in the round of 16, with Poland set to come up against France for a place in the quarter-finals.
And the joy on Robert Lewandowski’s face when told about Al Dawsari’s goal tells you how much it means.
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