Gerardo “Tata” Martino has left his role as coach of the Mexico National Team after his squad bowed out of the 2022 World Cup. Although Mexico was able to defeat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their final group game, this wasn’t enough to secure progression from the group stage, as Poland secured second place due to their superior goal difference.
“I am the first responsible for this terrible disappointment and frustration that we have,” Martino stated during a news conference after the game. “As the person in charge, it causes a lot of sadness, I fully assume responsibility for this great failure.”
This is the first time that Mexico has participated in a World Cup and been eliminated in the group stage since 1978. The team was banned from entering the 1990 tournament; the only time since then that they did not feature in the World Cup knockout rounds.
After a goalless draw with Poland in their opening group game and a 2-0 loss to Argentina, Mexico was in need of a multigoal win in order to secure progression from the group once Argentina had taken the lead against Poland.
Mexico raced to a two-goal lead early in the second half before Saudi Arabia pulled a goal back in stoppage time.
