SUPERB SAUDI stun Messi’s ARGENTINA
Saudi Arabia magic floors Argentina at electric Lusail Stadium in front of 88,012 spectators
SAUDI Arabia made history at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday as they shocked tournament’s co-favourites Argentina 2-1 in Group C match of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium on Tuesday. It was one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. The Green Falcons’ triumph sent shockwaves across the globe. It was the first defeat for Argentina in a World Cup opener since famously losing 1-0 to Cameroon in 1990. It also ended their unbeaten 36-games streak. Saleh Al Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari sealed the come-from-behind 2-1 victory with brilliant goals that left Argentina defence stunned. Saudi Arabia later held on with a super display of tactics, off-side traps and great goalkeeping of Saudi Mohammed Al-Owais that saw the brave side emerge as heroes.
For Saudi Arabia, it was a maiden triumph in any of their World Cup openers and their first ever win against the South American side.
Saudi Arabia are the first non-European team to beat Argentina at the World Cup since Cameroon in 1990.
Argentina suffered the biggest shock in World Cup history, following England’s loss to the United States in 1950, and West Germany losing to Algeria in 1982.
Call it magic or miracle, Saudi Arabia made history by turning the footballing world upside down with an explosive 2-1 victory over Argentina in a Group C match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the 80,000-capacity Lusail Stadium on Tuesday.
One of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, the Green Falcons’ triumph sent shockwaves across the globe. For Argentina it was a terrible Tuesday. The co-favourites of the tournament were left stunned by the first defeat for Argentina in the World Cup opener since famously losing 1-0 to Cameroon in 1990. It also ended their unbeaten 36-games streak.
Amazingly, riding on a penalty strike goal from Messi, Argentina had held on to their 1-0 lead until the break before Saudi Arabia hit back. And, it was an incredible five-minute spell in the second half that saw Saleh Al Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari turn the game on its head as Saudi Arabia went 2-1 up by the 53-minute mark before withstanding an Argentina onslaught and secure the greatest result in their history.
Up with the lead, Saudi Arabia held on with a super display of tactics, off-side traps and great goalkeeping of Saudi Mohammed Al
Owais that saw the brave side emerge as heroes.
Although for Argentina, some of their scoring shots were ruled out by perfect VAR technology.
For the Saudis, it was also a maiden triumph in any of their World Cup openers and their first-ever win against the South American side. A watershed moment for the first World Cup of the Middle East and the Arab region.
Messi broke the deadlock for Argentina from the spot in the 10th minute as his team seemed to have the game under control as they targeted a record-equalling 37th international match unbeaten.
But they were soon frustrated as Messi and Lautaro Martinez, twice, were tricked by a strong Saudi defensive line and saw their goals ruled out for offside.
Argentina were rattled in the 48th minute when Saleh Al Shehri, Saudi’s top scorer in qualifying, beat a sleepy defence with a brilliant left foot strike through went through to the right corner.
Messi and his teammates were once again astonished when Salem Al Dawsari took a rebound and curled the ball with a solid right foot kick which rocketed into the far right corner to fire Saudi Arabia - ranked 51 in the world - into the lead. The goal sent the stadium into a frenzy as a sea of green leapt in joy.
The livened up contest continued to enthrall as Saudi keeper Mohammed Al Owais made fantastic saves to deny Nicolas Tagliafico from close range and a late Messi header.
Abdulelah Al Amri was also a key to the win as he prevented an Argentina equalizer by clearing the ball off the line in added time.
The eight minutes of stoppage time indicated by the referee turned into an extra 14 minutes played after Saudi defender Yasser Shahrani went down after being hit by Al Owais’ knee.
There was a lot of concern, but the player signalled he was alright as he was carried off on the stretcher.
The late drama and the extra minutes, however, were not enough for Argentina to find a late equalizer in one of the competition’s biggest ever shocks - matching Argentina’s 1990 defeat as holders and then-champions France losing to Senegal in 2002.
Harve Renard, the 56-year-old Frenchman and coach of Saudi Arabia, must be credited for his masterful tactics in achieving this result.
Argentina had 70% possession to Saudi Arabia’s 30%, with six yellow cards shown, including the impressive Al Owais. Argentina had seven corner kicks to one for their opponent, and the Saudis committed 21 fouls in the game. The Messi-led team had four shots on goal, while the Saudis converted their two chances to earn a memorable victory over the twotime world champions.
Argentina are now arguably the victims of the biggest shock in World Cup history, up there with England’s loss to the United States in 1950 and West Germany losing to Algeria in 1982.
Saudi Arabia now play Poland on Saturday, and Mexico next Wednesday with great hopes of qualifying for the Round of 16.
If Argentina need something to cling to, it is that they reached the final following that opening defeat 42 years ago. They meet Mexico on Saturday, and Poland next Wednesday.