A victory and an elimination to finish. The Mexican success against Saudi Arabia was not enough to save the “Tri” and calm the pain of Gerardo Martino. The Mexico coach has announced that he is leaving his post following the elimination of his team. “I am the main person responsible for the frustration and this disappointment that we are experiencing, regretted the one who is nicknamed “Tata”. It is a source of sadness but I take full responsibility for this failure. My contract expires with the final whistle, there is nothing else to do. »
Asked by beIN Sports from the final whistle, the Argentinian had struggled to hide his emotion, while Mexico had long glimpsed qualification. While Argentina led Poland by two goals, the “Tri” inflicted the same price on Saudi Arabia. A goal in favor of the Mexicans would have sent them to the round of 16. The narrowing of the gap for Hervé Renard’s men put an end to the hopes of Hirving Lozano’s teammates.
Martino had been in office since January 2019. Before taking charge of the Mexican selection, he had notably guided Paraguay, Barça and Argentina.
It’s the first time since 1990 that Mexico hasn’t made it out of the group stage. Since 1994, Mexico had been systematically eliminated in the round of 16.