Qatar 2022

Qatar 2022: Why is Andres Guardado not starting for Mexico vs Saudi Arabia?

Andres Guardado is the Mexican playerwith most caps in history and established a record atQatar playing in his fifth World Cup. However, he won't start the crucial game against Saudi Arabia. Read here to find out why Gerardo Martino took this shocking decision.

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By miguel angel fernandez castro

Andres Guardado of Mexico
© Christopher Lee/Getty ImagesAndres Guardado of Mexico

Andres Guardadois the player with most caps in Mexico’s National Team history and just achieved one of the greatest records ever in theQatar 2022 World Cup. Guardado participated in the game against Argentina becomingonly the sixth man ever to play in five different World Cups. Two Mexican players already did it.

Antonio Carbajal was the first player ever with five tournaments(1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966) and Rafael Marquez got that record too(2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018).Lothar Matthäus(1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998) was the first player to tieAntonio Carbajalafter decades with that record untouched. In theQatar 2022 World Cup, two spectacular players were added to the list: Lionel Messi(2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022) andCristiano Ronaldo(2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022).

The pride of Atlas’academy in Guadalajara had his breakthrough performance againstArgentinaduring the Round of 16 in the2006 World Cupat Leipzig. One year later, he took his first chance in Europe with Deportivo la Coruña. After brief periods with Valencia andBayer Leverkusen, Andres Guardado became one of the best players in the Eredivisie withPSV Eindhoven(2014-2017). He’s played the last five years forReal Betisand was crucial to win the Copa del Rey in 2022.

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Why is Andres Guardadonot playing in Mexico vs Saudi Arabia?

Though Andres Guardado left injured the game against Argentina, the midfielder confirmed during a press conference that he was ready to play the final match of Group C with Saudi Arabia. That’s why the decision is entirely tactical by coach Gerardo Martino.

Considering Mexico haven’t scored a goal in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Gerardo Martino changed two players in the midfield to face Saudi Arabia. Andres Guardado and Hector Herrera go to the bench. Edson Alvarez and Orbelin Pineda start. Even after the hit received agastin Argentina,Andres Guardado is available for this game.

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