Mexico must win and Saudi Arabia almost certainly need at least a draw as the Group C hopefuls meet on Wednesday in their final chance to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup knockout stage.
El Tri were eventually beaten by Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina on Saturday, leaving them with a point and the imperative to produce a more attacking display when they face the group underdogs.
Saudi Arabia stunned Argentina in their opening match and pushed Poland in their second game, starting far more brightly than their opponents and spurning a penalty on their way to a 2-0 defeat.
Here's how to watch this potentially crucial game for these nations.
MORE: Mexico loses Argentina game, and possibly FIFA World Cup knockout berth in a single moment
Saudi Arabia vs Mexico live stream, TV channel
This final Group C match will be played at Lusail Stadium. Here's how you can watch all the action in some of the major global territories.
| Date | Time | TV Channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Wed, Nov. 30 | 14:00 ET | FS1 Telemundo | fuboTV, Fox Sports site/app, Telemundo Deportes site/app, Peacock |
| Canada | Wed, Nov. 30 | 14:00 ET | TSN 2, RDS (French) | TSN site/app, RDS app |
| UK | Wed, Nov. 30 | 19:00 GMT | BBC Two | BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website |
| Australia | Thu, Dec. 1 | 06:00 AEDT | SBS VICELAND | SBS On Demand |
| India | Thu, Dec. 1 | 00:30 IST | Sports18 | Voot, JioTV |
| Hong Kong | Thu, Dec. 1 | 03:00 HKT | Now TV (Ch. 617, 619) | Now TV |
| Malaysia | Thu, Dec. 1 | 03:00 MYT | Astro Arena 2 | Astro GO |
| Singapore | Thu, Dec. 1 | 03:00 SGT | StarHub FIFA World Cup, Singtel FIFA World Cup 141 | Singtel TV GO, CAST, StarHub TV+, MeWatch |
| New Zealand | Thu, Dec. 1 | 08:00 NZDT | Sky Sport 1 NZ | Sky Go, Sky Sport NOW |
MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)
Saudi Arabia vs Mexico lineups
Leftback Yasser Al-Shahrani was stretched off in the final minutes of Saudi Arabia's incredible 2-1 Group C opening win against Argentina after colliding with goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais.
Scans reportedly revealed a fractured jaw and facial bones as well as internal bleeding. He has since undergone emergency surgery on the injury and the defender is likely to be ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
Midfielder Abdulelah Al-Malki will be suspended for this game.
Saudi Arabia projected lineup (4-5-1, right to left): 21-Al-Owais (GK) — 12-Abdulhamid, 4- Al Amri, 5. Al Bulahyi, 3. Madu — 9-Al Buraikan 23-Kanno, 8-Al Malki, 16-Al Naji, 10-Al-Dawsari — 11-Al Shehri
Andres Guardado is appearing in his fifth successive World Cup but there were fears that the midfielder's campaign had ended prematurely when he was forced off with a leg injury against Argentina.
Having swapped shirts with Messi at the end of the game, the 36-year-old Real Betis star reportedly played a full part in training with his teammates on Sunday.
Forward Raul Jimenez came on as a substitute but has been troubled by a hip injury since September.
Mexico projected line (5-3-2, right to left): 13-Ochoa (GK) — 26-Alvarez, 2-Araujo, 3-Montes, 15-Moreno, 23-Gallardo — 24-Chavez, 16-Herrera, 18-Guardado — 22-Lozano, 10-Vega
Saudi Arabia vs Mexico odds
Mexico are ranked 38 spots above 51st-placed Saudi Arabia in the FIFA rankings, and bookmakers have them as odds-on favourites to earn the only outcome that will give them a chance of reaching the Round of 16.
The two-time quarterfinalists' two results in Qatar so far have contributed to their current total of 210 minutes without a goal, failing to score in three of their past four matches.
Saudi Arabia are bidding to make the knockout stage for the first time since their sole previous appearance beyond the groups in 1994.
That win over Argentina was the only fixture of their previous 18 to have produced more than two goals.
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia win | +380 | 4.58 | 4/1 | 4/1 |
| Draw | +300 | 4.04 | 14/5 | 14/5 |
| Mexico win | -150 | 1.62 | 8/13 | 4/6 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | -140 / +110 | 1.70 / 1.91 | 8/11, 1/1 | 7/10, 21/20 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | -155 / +105 | 1.71 / 2.06 | 8/11, 1/1 | 8/11, 21/20 |
| Mexico -0.5 | -165 | 1.66 | — | — |
| Saudi Arabia +0.5 | +120 | 2.18 | — | — |
