Argentina vs Saudi Arabia LIVE: World Cup 2022 result and reaction as Saudi Arabia claim stunning shock win
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia: Lionel Messi scored early on but a stunning comeback ensured an all-time great World Cup shock
Saudi Arabia beat Argentina to record one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history with a 2-1 win over Lionel Messi’s side thanks to a scintillating second-half comeback.
On his fifth and final quest for the only major trophy to elude him, the 35-year-old Messi scored a 10th-minute penalty in a dominant first-half display where he and Lautaro Martinez also had three goals disallowed for offside.
But Saudi Arabia, the second-lowest ranked team in the tournament after Ghana, threw caution to the wind at the start of the second half, charging at Argentina’s defence in front of a frenzied 88,012 crowd.
Saleh Al-Shehri squeezed in a low shot in the 48th minute while Salem Al-Dawsari curled in a scorching strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 53rd minute to leave Argentina and Messi looking utterly shell-shocked in the Group C opener. Despite plenty of possession after that, Argentina were unable to best Saudi Arabia, who were competing in their sixth World Cup but had never previously won an opening game.
Relive all the action with our live blog below:
Mexico 0-0 Poland
45 mins: Lozano is brought down as he bursts into the Poland box, and he wants a free kick.
None is given, but the ball rolls to the onrushing Sanchez, who blasts a shot at goal!
Szczesny reacts well to tip the ball over the crossbar!
Mexico 0-0 Poland
44 mins: A sharp diagonal ball out to Lozano on the right is brought down really well by Mexico’s star man.
Some good interplay follows, but the move breaks down in the Poland box.
Mexico 0-0 Poland
40 mins: Again Mexico play a corner short, and it ends up being the wrong choice. They lose control as they try to work the ball across the edge of the Poland box, before losing possession altogether.
Mexico 0-0 Poland
38 mins: Lozano rolls in a low cross from the right, but it’s stabbed away by the retreating Poland defence.
Corner to Mexico.
Mexico 0-0 Poland
35 mins: Poland have failed to get the best out of Lewandowski so far. He’s not had enough service, and when his teammates have gotten the ball to him, the deliveries haven’t been clean enough.
Mexico 0-0 Poland
Mexico 0-0 Poland
31 mins: Poland go long with the throw, and Mexico goalkeeper Ochoa catches the ball in his box.
Mexico 0-0 Poland
30 mins: Poland have a free kick near the halfway line after that Sanchez foul, and a long ball is sent into the Mexico box. It’s headed away, though, and Poland have a throw-in on their right flank.
Mexico 0-0 Poland
28 mins: Another Mexico chance!!
A terrific chipped pass into the Poland box reaches Gallardo near the byline, and the Mexican tries to cut it back towards goal, but Szczesny rushes out and – with some help from his defenders – does enough to force Gallardo into screwing the ball wide of the post.
Sanchez then picks up the first yellow card of the match moments later.
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