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
6 mins: Lozano surges up Mexico’s right flank and spears a cross into the Poland box...
The ball flashes across goal, but no one is able to get on the end of it!
Mexico 0-0 Poland
5 mins: Boos from the Mexican fans now as Lewanodowski gets on the ball for the first time, winning Poland a throw in the Mexico half.
Mexico 0-0 Poland
3 mins: Early “Ole!”s from the Mexico fans as their players loft the ball from one side of the pitch to the other, then back again.
Mexico vs Poland
Stephanie Frappart is the fourth official for this one!
Keith Hackett: Female refs will make history in Qatar – here’s what they can expect
Every referee is expected to deliver top-class performances without exception
Mexico vs Poland
The national anthems are under way, with a few tears from the Mexico team as they sing theirs!
Mexico vs Poland
As Mexico head to the World Cup shy of goals and with a squad ravaged by injuries, a great deal of attacking responsibility rests on the shoulders of winger Hirving Lozano.
He sent Mexican fans into a frenzy when his goal helped the team stun holders Germany at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and supporters will be hoping ‘Chucky’ is at the peak of his powers when they play in Qatar.
While the Napoli winger has started eight out of 15 games for the Serie A side this season and bagged only three goals, he has the pace and skill to unlock the tightest of defences.
More on him and his role in the Mexico set-up here:
Goal-shy Mexico look for flying winger Hirving Lozano to provide World Cup edge
The Napoli wide man carries a burden of expectation as Mexico try to continue their streak of reaching the World Cup last 16
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