WHAT A SHEIKHER TIMELINE OF MISERY FOR MESSI AND ARGENTINA...

FROM MARK JONES in Doha IT LOOKED to be Lionel Messi’s day as he put Argentina ahead... before the unbelievable outcome. This is the story of Messi’s match

2 MINS: Tame low shot from Angel Di Maria’s cutback.

5: Booed by Saudi fans as he takes a corner.

10: Penalty eventually awarded – and rolled home with a minimum of fuss.

22: Runs through to score, but is offside (right). Surely this is just a matter of time?

28: Watches on as Lautaro Martinez scores, but he is offside by a shoulder.

34: Plays Martinez in, but he is miles off this time.

42: Wide free-kick drops to Rodrigo De Paul, who blazes his effort hilariously high 45: Di Maria should shoot, but passes to a surrounded Messi.

HALF-TIME:

Argentina 1 Saudi

Arabia 0

48: Glares at teammates as Saleh Al Shehri equalises for Saudi Arabia.

53: Looks shocked as

Salem Al Dawsari amazingly makes it 2-1.

63: Corner causes chaos in the Saudi box, but cleared.

72: Brilliant, eye-of-the-needle pass to Nahuel Molina almost carves out a chance.

75: Stands in centre circle, hands on hips.

80: Mocked by Saudi fans as he fires a free-kick over.

84: Header saved by Mohammed Al Owais.

90+3: One last forlorn attempt at a dance and wriggle in the box.

FULL-TIME: Stunned... Argentina 1 Saudi Arabia 2