DOHA, Qatar — Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa — Man of the Match in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Poland — would commerce private success to get to at the least the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
“Everything, I would trade everything to get to the quinto partido (fifth game),” mentioned Ochoa, who surpassed countryman Pablo Lario’s complete of three World Cup clear sheets with the end result.
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Reaching the fifth recreation and the quarterfinal stage has turn out to be a nationwide obsession in Mexico. With seven consecutive exits within the World Cup’s spherical of 16, with the ability to play that extra match past the fourth is a continuing speaking level for media and followers who comply with El Tri.
Mexico will must be extra scientific in entrance of purpose to get out of their group and into the knockout rounds, however their 37-year-old goalkeeper confirmed on Tuesday why he might doubtlessly be part of that run — particularly after stopping a penalty from Poland star Robert Lewandowski within the second half.
Ochoa offered the spotlight of the night time after holding out Lewandowski’s spot kick to maintain his clear sheet and Mexico within the recreation.
“We worked with the goalkeeping coach on how Lewandowski is used to shooting penalties, although it’s difficult to predict it, because he has 25 different ways to take them,” Ochoa mentioned after the match. “He is a great player and goalscorer.”
Nonetheless, it was Ochoa who was higher on the night time, serving to Mexico safe an important level of their opening match in Group C.
Saudi Arabia surprised Argentina 2-1 earlier within the day, placing the Asian group atop the group, with Poland and Mexico degree at a degree every in second and Argentina in final.
Ochoa and El Tri will face Argentina (Nov. 26) at Lusail Stadium earlier than closing out the group stage in opposition to Saudi Arabia (Nov. 30) on the similar venue.
Supervisor Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s aspect loved extra possession in opposition to Poland, however with out Raul Jimenez main the assault, Henry Martin struggled to complete off probabilities within the field and Alexis Vega was responsible of lacking alternatives.
“In the first half, we needed to be accurate in front of goal,” Martino advised reporters. “We had three chances in the first half, but did very well in intensity and controlling the tempo of the game and also watching out to make sure Poland wouldn’t go for the counter-attack.
“Within the second half we had extra remoted probabilities with Vega and Chucky [Lozano] particularly, however then within the ultimate phases of the match, we might solely discover our centre ahead.
“We were missing some more shot accuracy.”