Mexico Qatar summary: score, goals, highlights, 2023 Gold Cup

Qatar surprise well-drilled Mexican machine

Coming into this one we knew that Mexico would rotate a few players with their place in the next round already secured. On the other hand, most would agree that we also expected El Tricolor to finish the group with a perfect record against a relatively young Qatari side.

Of course, we all know what they say about expectations. On minute 28, it was Hazem Shehata who sent the small group of Qatari fans present into rapture. A well worked move and a lethal header gave the Gulf nation a 1-0 lead, and it's a lead they held to the very end. Of course they needed a favorable result in the group's other match between Haiti and Honduras. Thankfully the central American nation was able to oblidge by handing the Haitins a 2-1 loss. With that Qatar heads to the knock round alongside the group winner Mexico.

Speaking of Mexico, it's got to be said that from start to finish they were quality. Truthfully, it's difficult to comprehend how they didn't manage to score but such is the way of the 'beautiful game.'

Carlos Queiroz's men played with an intensity that was surprising to see given their aforementioned qualification, but that is the nature of things when you wear such a storied jersey. They may not have needed the win, but they certainly wanted it. Truth be told, were it not for a stellar performance from Barsham in Qatar's goal and of course the crossbar itself, things could have been very different. 

Ultimately both teams can now focus on the knockout stage and in that there will be mutual joy. Yet, fans from either side will be hoping that lessons were learned. For Qatar, they will have to be sharper on defense. For Mexico, they will need to do the same on offense.