Renard: "I congratulate my players for the World Cup"

Saudi Arabia lost, on Wednesday, against Mexico, 1-2, and thus failed, in the last round of the group stage, the chance of reaching the 'eighth' of the World Cup.

"We knew that Mexico would start with their foot on the gas because they had to win by a big goal difference [to qualify for round of 16]. We have our goalkeeper to thank for not losing by more than a goal difference", began by saying Hervé Renard.

"It was difficult to breathe in the face of the intensity that Mexico put on. That was the problem with our team: we lacked the physical level for the duels", added Renard.

"I congratulate my players for the World Cup. It's always difficult to reach the next stage, something Saudi Arabia only managed in 1994. We dreamed of qualifying, but given what this game was, we didn't deserve to go through", he concluded.