Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 but are eliminated from World Cup 2022: Live updates and post-match analysis

It didn't quite come to that tonight, but Group C could have been decided on whichever side between Poland and Mexico had fewer yellow cards.

But what solution would you have for teams that finish level on points in the group stages?

It’s the first time since 1978 that Mexico haven’t made it out of the group stages of a World Cup.

Saudi Arabia's goal that condemend Mexico to elimination...

Before I pass you back, was that the best evening of World Cup football yet? Jeopardy, confusion, great goals and controversy. Messi and Argentina have successfully navigated their way though a group that started horrendously and Poland also scrape into the next round. This is how the teams currently in last 16 are looking...

Mexico's lovely shape from the first 60/70 minutes disintegrated like origami on a rainy day.

Mexico are perennial qualifiers for the knockout stages but they can't manage it this time. It was the first time they failed to progress out of the group stages since 1978. It is likely to end the tenure of Tata Martino, who has long been under huge pressure from the country's media and reports that he has lost the dressing room. But his players gave everything tonight but overturning such a huge goal difference always threatened to be a bridge too far. They bow out and so too does Andrés Guardado, having played in a record-equalling fifth World Cup.

And that's it. Strange finish to a superb second half. Mexico were mesmerizing at times. But they just couldn't convert openings into goals. And that's their undoing. They then got mugged at the end but the goal didn't change anything. Both these teams are out. Saudi will always have Argentina and Mexico can sing sad songs about tonight.

Michael Oliver has blown the whistle on a bonkers match. The best few hours of the World Cup. Mexico and Saudi Arabia played basketball for most of that game, turnovers constant and fouls everywhere. Mexico were outstanding but after the flatness of the first two games, they left themselves with too much to do. The remaining Saudi Arabian fans still in the stadium had something to cheer about but were completely outplayed for most of it.

36 shots in total between the two. 13 on target.

In the end, Argentina top the group, with Poland scraping through in second place on goal difference.

In their only attack - scrap that, their only venture into Mexico's half - Salem Aldawsari scores after a neat one-two. A complete sucker punch. At least Mexico won't be dumped out on the yellow card rule. What a crazy match

WHAT ON EARTH

Mexico need a goal. That's the equation now. Argentina beat Poland 2-0

Lozano hits the target but is straight at Alowais and he still parries it into the danger area. He gets away with it

Alamri is booked for grabbing the shirt of Funes Mori. Chavez to take again.

Mexico are still heading out of the World Cup due to two extra bookings. Saudi Arabia are about to see a campaign that started with such promise completely unravel

In the meantime, half the Saudi crowd has left. What on earth?!?

Oh no. Antuna gets behind Saudi's defence (again) but the goal is disallowed for offside (again). The green shirts keep coming. Funes Mori then has an effort blocked straight after

Martino has a few minutes to save his job. Six minutes left in Argentina's game with Poland. Kevin Alvarez is on for his namesake and Rogelio Funes Mori replaces Jorge Sánchez

Look at the pink gaggle of shirts in attack... Mexico are throwing everybody forward. Chavez to take the free-kick again after Abdullah Madu is booked for a cynical foul on Lozano

They are doing everything to get a third. In front of 84, 985 fans, Alowais is stranded out of his goal but Uriel Antuna's shot is blocked. The most one sided second half you'll see...

That was Pineda's last action of the game as he is off for Carlos Alberto Rodríguez. Raul Jimenez replaces Henry Martin