Even before kick-off, it appeared Mexico were more up for the fight than Poland in their World Cup opener in Qatar.
Mexican fans almost drowned out the stadium's speakers during their national anthem, while some players broke into tears as they sang along.
However, it was actually Poland who found more joy in the first 10-15 minutes of the game. They created chances and looking the more threatening of the two sides.
But before long Mexico grabbed the match by the scruff of its neck, spurred on by their noisy fans, and mostly dictated the play.
For all of their possession - 63% in the first period - the Mexicans struggled to break through Poland's defence, and when they did were denied by Wojciech Szczesny. Alexis Vega and Jorge Sanchez were closest to breaking the deadlock.
Mexico made it hard for Poland to get their talismanic captain, Robert Lewandowski, involved and Poland will have headed into the tunnel at the break thankful to still have their clean sheet intact.
The second period started as promising as the first ended for Mexico as the Biało-czerwoni continued to struggle in a hostile atmosphere.
Drama ensued in the 53rd minute as Lewandowski barged through on Guillermo Ochoa's goal, but [i]El Tri cleared. Or, at least, it seemed that way - after a VAR review, Poland were awarded a spot-kick.
Lewandowski stepped up and fired a tame effort toward Ochoa's net, which was saved by the Mexican stalwart to keep the score-line at 0-0 after he guessed the right way.
Their goalkeeper's heroics inspired Mexico to further impose on Poland, but Szczesny met everything they threw at him with Henry Martin coming closest to beating the Pole.
As the final 20 minutes closed in and both sides made changes, it appeared a 0-0 result became more appealing for everyone involved as the tempo slowed dramatically.
Live commentary:
FULL-TIME: The spoils are shared between Poland and Mexico as Ochoa registers another key performance on the international stage.
93' - Argentina won't mind this likely 0-0 result as neither Poland or Mexico will pose much of a threat if they repeat their performances tonight.
91' - There will be a minimum of seven minutes added on.
90' - Glik is back on his feet and appears fine.
88' - Glik is down with another head injury and is being seen to by medical staff.
83' - Vega is replaced by Antuna for Mexico.
80' - The tempo of the game has slowed, both sides appear to be running out of steam.
STAT: Mexico have had 13 attempts on goal to Poland's five.
71' - Change for Poland: Frankowski replaces Szymanski.
70' - Changes for Mexico: Herrera and Martin off, Rodriguez and Jiminez on.
68' - After a tame first period, both goalkeepers have now been tested and both clean sheets are still intact.
63' - Close! Martin flicks a header toward Poland's goal, but it's saved by a flexible Szczesny.
60' - Mexico's assistant coach has been shown a yellow card.
59' - Ochoa's heoric save has sent the Mexican fans into another level, it's deafening inside the stadium!
57' - SAVE! Ochoa saves Lewandowski's penalty and it remains 0-0.
55' - Lewandowski wins the spot-kick and he now has the ball in his hands to take it...
54' - Moreno shown a yellow card amid the madness.
54' - VAR review on a possible penalty for Poland... AND HE'S GIVEN IT!
53' - Close! Poland give Mexico a scare as Lewandowski beats down on goal, but the Barcelona star is dealt with and the danger is cleared.
52' - Lozano fires an effort from range, but it's saved well. Mexico are now growing in confidence.
49' - Mexico's fans, effectively a 12th player at this point, continue to create a hostile atmosphere for Poland.
45' - Zalewski has been replaced by Bielik.
SECOND-HALF: Lewandowski and Poland get us back underway
HALF-TIME: Poland will breathe a collective sigh of relief as the referee blows for the break amid amid pressure from Mexico.
44' - Sanchez forces a save from Szczesny after some tricky footwork by Mexico in the final third.
STAT: Despite having 40% of the ball so far, Poland have registered just one shot goalward.
40' - As half-time nears, you have to wonder if it has been Poland's plan to attempt to tire their opponents in the first period.
37' - Poland remain confident on the ball and look comfortable at 0-0, despite Mexico dominating.
33' - Mexico are now dictating the pace of the game while Poland struggle to get Lewandowski involved.
28' - Sanchez has been shown a yellow card for a foul on Szymanski. Poland awarded a free-kick, but Mexico clear.
26' - Close! Vega almost scores with a looping header, but his effort goes just wide of Szczesny's post.
24' - Mexico are settling into this game nicely and are carving out a good number of chances, but they need to be more clinical in front of goal.
STAT: 20 minutes in and Mexico have enjoyed 62% of the possession so far.
17' - It's end-to-end stuff at the moment, both sides look very dangerous on the attack but neither goalkeeper has really been tested yet.
12' - Moreno comes close for Mexico, pinging an ambitious header over Poland's goal.
10' - Poland are beginning to find some more joy on the ball, creating chances and threatening Ochoa's clean sheet.
9' - There has been a clash of heads. Glik of Poland and Montes of Mexico were down, but both now seem fine to continue.
6' - Poland get their first big chance of the game as Lewandowski finds a team-mate on the counter-attack, but it results in a corner and Mexico clear.
3' - Mexico fans are creating quite an atmosphere in the stadium, with oles every time their players touch the ball and boos for Poland.
KICK-OFF: Mexico get us underway in Qatar...
PRE-MATCH: An impressive showing from from the Mexico fans, who were almost as loud as the stadium's speakers during their national anthem.
