MEXICO were knocked out of the World Cup on Wednesday in the cruelest way possible.

They won their final Group C game 2-1 against Saudi Arabia, scored the goal of the tournament and were only consigned to packing their bags by a single goal difference as Poland usurped what looked like their second place behind Argentina.

Mexico were a bundle of energy and creativity and in truth the giant-killing Saudi side (remember the win over Argentina?) were second best all night – by a mile.

It was just a question of when the dam wall would break, and it happened in the 47^th minute when Henry Martine was fed by Cesar Montes and fired on target for 1-0 Mexico.

Four minutes later we witnessed a free kick that will go down in Mexican folklore.

Hugo Chavez placed the ball just outside the Saudi area and absolutely smashed it over the wall and into the top corner – a shot that Lionel Messi or David Beckham would be proud to own (2-0).

Mexico had the ball in the net again as the Saudi side ran out of steam but it was overruled by VAR.

With 10 minutes of normal time left, the situation was on a knife edge.

Mexico were level on points with Poland, and equal on goal difference.

That being the case, it would come down to the best (or worst) disciplinary record, and naughty Mexico had collected 7 cards to the 5 of Poland.

Mexico’s only hope was to score another goal. They did – but it was ruled offside.

They set up camp in Saudi territory and peppered shots at goal, but Lady Luck is fickle and with nobody home at the back, a rare foray into Mexican territory saw an unlikely outcome as Saudi Arabia scored and sent their luckless opponents to football’s heartbreak hotel.

It’s terrible when you win but you lose, and Mexico got what they didn’t deserve.

Argentina and Poland go through from Group C.

Adios amigos, until 2026.