Argentina were stunned by Saudi Arabia as their highly anticipated 2022 World Cup campaign began with a seismic Group A defeat by the 750-1 outsiders, ranking as one of the greatest upsets in the history of the competition.
The Albiceleste, unbeaten in 36 matches over the past three years, went ahead with a 10th-minute penalty from captain Lionel Messi, looking to cap a wonderful career by winning the tournament at the fifth attempt.
But Argentina failed to build on their first-half dominance, having three further goals — one for Messi, two for Lautaro Martinez — ruled out for offside.
They were made to pay in a remarkable opening to the second half as Saudi Arabia first leveled and then went in front in the space of five sensational minutes.
First Saleh Al-Shehri surged past Cristian Romero and clipped a left-footed shot into the far corner before, in the 53rd minute, Salem Al-Dawsari spun round, swerved away from a defender and curled in a brilliant effort from the left edge of the area into into the top-right corner.
Argentina tried to find a way back into the game, but Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Owais made a series of saves from Nicolas Tagliafico, Messi and Julian Alvarez to seal one of the most remarkable results in World Cup history.
Saudi Arabia now have a chance of reaching the last 16 for only the second time as they prepare to face Poland next, while Argentina must pick themselves up before facing Mexico.
MORE: Argentina’s unbeaten streak comes to an end, how they missed the world record
Goals:
ARG — Lionel Messi (pen) — 10th min.
SAU — Saleh Al-Shehri — 48th min.
SAU — Salem Al-Dawsari — 53rd min.
Lineups:
Argentina (4-3-3, right to left): 23-E. Martinez (GK) — 26-Molina, 13-Romero (Martinez 59′), 19-Otamendi, 3-Tagliafico (Acuna 71′) — 7-De Paul, 5-Paredes (Fernandez 59′), 17-Gomez (Alvarez 71′) — 10-Messi, 22-Martinez, 11-Di Maria
Saudi Arabia (4-3-3, right to left): 21-Al-Owais (GK) — 12-Abdulhamid, 17-Tambakti, 5-Al-Boleahi, 13-Al-Shahrani — 9-Al-Buraikan 23-Kanno, 8-Al-Malki, 7-Al-Faraj (Al-Abid 45+4′), 10-Al-Dawsari — 11-Al-Shehri
#FIFAWorldCupQatar2022 #Qatar2022 #Argentina #ARGKSA #Messi #SaudiArabia