Saudi Arabia and Mexico square off on the final matchday of Group C with a place in the last 16 on the line.
Having shocked Argentina and the rest of the world with victory over Lionel Messi‘s side in their World Cup opener, the Saudis were brought back down to earth by Robert Lewandowski and Co., losing 2-0 to Poland Saturday.
However, Mexico did not fare much better, suffering the same result to Argentina, who bounced back from the opening shock to keep their World Cup dream alive.
Saudi Arabia and Mexico square off on the final matchday of Group C for a place in the last 16
Mexico enter the clash after a defeat to Argentina, knowing they must win to have any hope
Now level with Argentina and only one point behind Poland the Saudis know victory against Mexico will see them progress for the first time since 1994.
But the Mexicans will not go down without a fight, knowing it is do-or-die to stand with any hope of reaching the knockouts.
With World Cup last 16 qualification at stake for both sides, Sportsmail takes you through everything you need to know below…
When is Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico?
The Group C encounter is due to take place on Wednesday, November 30 at 7pm GMT, which is 10pm in Qatar.
For those in US, kick-off will be 2pm Eastern. In Australia, the match starts at 6am Eastern.
It will be played at the same time as the other Group C game – Poland vs Argentina – with knockout places on the line for all teams.
Date: Wednesday, November 20
Time: 7pm (UK), 2pm (US) and 6am on Thursday (Australian Eastern Time)
How to watch the match
The game between Saudi Arabia and Mexico will be aired live on BBC Two for UK viewers. If you are looking to stream the game, you need to head to BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport website.
FOX Sports has the English-language rights to all the World Cup games in the US. Meanwhile, Telemundo is exclusively bringing all the action in Spanish, which can also be streamed on Peacock.
Australian viewers can tune into the game via SBS, who will be televising every match during the 2022 World Cup. SBS On Demand will also stream the Qatar vs Ecuador fixture for those on the move.
If you’re unable to watch the game live, you can relive the action via the FIFA YouTube Channel (Worldwide). The official YouTube channel will be posting highlight reels after each game.
UK: BBC Two and BBC iPlayer
US: FOX, Telemundo, fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, Peacock Premium, Vidgo, Sling Blue
Australia: SBS and SBS On Demand
The game will be aired live on BBC and streamed on BBC iPlayer for viewers in the UK
FOX Sports has the English-language rights to all the World Cup games in the US
Where is Saudi Arabia vs Mexico being played?
Mexico will return to the site of their devastating 2-0 defeat to Argentina as they face Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
The Lusail Stadium is 20km north of capital city Doha and has a capacity of 88,966, making it the biggest stadium in Qatar.
The Lusail Stadium is also ironically the site of Saudi Arabia’s shock upset over Argentina.
It will play host to five more matches throughout the tournament, including the final on December 18.
Location: Lusail, Qatar
Stadium: Lusail Stadium
The Lusail Stadium is 20km north of capital city Doha and has a capacity of 88,966
Saudi Arabia vs Mexico: Team news
Saudi Arabia will once again be without Yasser Al-Shahrani who flew home after undergoing successful emergency surgery on his jaw.
The defender is said to have suffered a fractured jaw, broken facial bones and internal bleeding following a sickening collision with his own goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais in the Saudis’ famous giant-slaying of Argentina.
Herve Renard expected to name a similar starting XI to those that played the Argentina and Poland games.
Saudi Arabia keeper Mohammed Alowais caught defender Yasser Al-Shahrani with a knee
With everything on the line, Mexico cannot afford to name a weakened side for their final group game as they currently sit bottom of Group C.
Tata Martino could look to make changes up front after Hirving Lozano and Alexis Vega failed to have much impact in the defeat to Argentina but whether Raul Jimenez can be trusted to start amid his recent fitness issues remains to be seen.
Andres Guardado, who became the sixth men’s player to feature at five World Cups, was substituted with an injury in the first half against Argentina and could be a doubt for this one.
Andres Guardado (second left) was substituted with an injury in the first half against Argentina
Saudi Arabia squad
Goalkeepers: Mohamed Al-Owais, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Mohamed Al-Yami.
Defenders: Yasser Al-Shahrani, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Abdullah Madu, Hassan Tambakti, Sultan Al-Ghanam, Mohammed Al-Breik, Saud Abdulhamid.
Midfielders: Salman Al-Faraj, Riyadh Sharahili, Ali Al-Hassan, Mohamed Kanno, Abdulelah Al-Malki, Sami Al-Najei, Abdullah Otayf, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, Salem Al-Dawsari, Hattan Bahebri.
Forwards: Nawaf Al-Abed, Haitham Asiri, Saleh Al-Shehri, Firas Al-Buraikan.
Mexico squad
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa, Alfredo Talavera, Rodolfo Cota
Defenders: Hector Moreno, Jesus Gallardo, Nestor Araujo, Cesar Montes, Jorge Sanchez, Gerardo Arteaga, Kevin Alvarez, Johan Vasquez
Midfielders: Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera, Edson Alvarez, Orbelin Pineda, Uriel Antuna, Erick Gutierrez, Carlos Rodriguez, Roberto Alvarado, Luis Romo, Alexis Vega, Luis Chavez
Forwards: Raul Jimenez, Hirving Lozano Henry Martin, Rogelio Funes Mori
Head-to-head record
Saudi Arabia and Mexico have played out five games against each other with the Mexicans maintaining a flawless record. Mexico has won four of their encounters and drawn one.
However, the two sides haven’t met since 1999, when El Tri thrashed the Saudis 5-1 in the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Jan. 1995: Saudi Arabia 0-2 Mexico (FIFA Confederations Cup)
Oct. 1995: Mexico 2-1 Saudi Arabia (Friendly)
Dec. 1997: Saudi Arabia 0-5 Mexico (FIFA Confederations Cup)
Jun. 1998: Saudi Arabia 0-0 Mexico (Friendly)
Jul. 1999: Mexico 5-1 Saudi Arabia (FIFA Confederations Cup)
Group C fixtures
Poland vs Argentina – Wednesday, November 30
Saudi Arabia vs Mexico – Wednesday, November 30
Mexico sit bottom, while Saudi Arabia is level with Argentina and one point off Poland
