He has been harshly criticized by fans and experts when he plays for his club, but when it comes to his national team, it is quite a different story.
Once again, just like in 2014 and in 2018, goalkeeper Guillermo "Memo" Ochoa saved the day for El Tri with a crucial penalty kick save against Poland, denying none other than Robert Lewandowski from scoring his first World Cup goal. The seasoned goalie cleared the ball away from the line right after the 58th minute mark, making fans go berserk wherever they were watching the game.
Ochoa's antics in the World Cup have included clean sheets against Brazil(2014), Germany (2018), and Poland, along with many key saves that have made him one of the national team's favorites in recent years.
With this save, Ochoa also ended a woeful streak for Mexico's shot-stoppers when it comes to penalty kicks, as none of his colleagues had saved a spot kick since the 1930 edition.
1 - Guillermo Ochoa is the first Mexico goalkeeper to save a penalty in a World Cup game since at least 1966 (excluding shootouts), after Mexican goalkeepers conceded their first three penalties in the tournament since then (two by Ochoa and one by Oswaldo Sánchez). Hero. pic.twitter.com/IJEDXoYeFd
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 22, 2022
In case you missed it, have a look at Ochoa's penalty kick save against Lewandowski (Image might be geo-restricted).
OCHOA BLOCKS LEWANDOWSKI'S PENALTY FOR MEXICO pic.twitter.com/j9qO1Sodyt
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 22, 2022
This save caused a massive reaction from Mexican fans around the world. Have a look at some of those moments here.
Ochoa sends Mexican fans into a FRENZY #WorldCupWatchParty
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 22, 2022
(via @thesierrafox)pic.twitter.com/JMgZ68uTFn
Here's a view from a Fan Fest in Mexico.
Mexico fans were HYPED when Ochoa blocked Lewandowski's penalty pic.twitter.com/HfWFukRYVv
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 22, 2022
And in case you want a couple of more images, have a look at this reedition of the Louis Vuitton pic.
OCHOA IS WHO HE THINKS HE IS WHEN IT COMES TO THE WORLD CUP!!!! pic.twitter.com/dw39haR99P
— Berhane (@Lervina_9) November 22, 2022
Last, but not least, here is the view of "some" Mexican fans who have enjoyed Ochoa's saves over the years.
Another World Cup, same Ochoa pic.twitter.com/D5qGh7J4HA
— Troll Football (@Troll_Fotballl) November 22, 2022