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:
Denmark vs Tunisia
KICK-OFF! We’re underway with our second game of the day!
Denmark in their traditional dark red strip, with Tunisia in white.
Denmark vs Tunisia
A reminder of the teams at the Education City Stadium this afternoon!
Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Andersen, Kjaer, Christensen, Kristensen, Maehle; Hojbjerg, Delaney, Eriksen; Olsen, Dolberg.
Tunisia XI: Dahmen, Abdi, Talbi, Meriah, Bronn, Draeger, Laidouni, Skhiri, Slimane, Msakni, Jembali
Denmark vs Tunisia
The teams are out at the Education City Stadium - time now for the national anthems! Denmark’s first...
Denmark vs Tunisia
Christian Eriksen in the starting XI less than 18 months since he suffered a cardiac arrest in Denmark’s opening game of Euro 2020.
A great sight for all involved to see the Manchester United midfielder on the pitch in Qatar!
Denmark vs Tunisia - TEAM NEWS
Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Andersen, Kjaer, Christensen, Kristensen, Maehle; Hojbjerg, Delaney, Eriksen; Olsen, Dolberg.
Tunisia XI: Dahmen, Abdi, Talbi, Meriah, Bronn, Draeger, Laidouni, Skhiri, Slimane, Msakni, Jembali
Denmark vs Tunisia...
Now we turn our attention to the second game today - a clash between Group D between Denmark and Tunisia at the Education City Stadium!
Team news coming up!
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia match report:
Miguel Delaney, at the Lusail Iconic Stadium:
A moment of authenticity in this tournament, yet one that seemed to defy reality.
This World Cup has had its first classic shock, and maybe one of its biggest of all. An utterly stunned Argentina lost for the first time in 36 games, to an admirably adventurous Saudi Arabia, driven on by a raucous atmosphere. Manager Herve Renard pulled off another incredible feat.
The fact they came from behind to win 2-1 only emphasised their spirit and resolve, and showed how even the most problematic World Cup is still driven by human sporting qualities. That is what Qatar are trying to buy.
A further irony is that is what their complicated political rivals in Saudi Arabia will now use. What a venue for their greatest ever World Cup victory, in the host’s prize stadium, not long after the Gulf blockade was lifted.And yet whatever about how the state will use this, this was the classically sporting story of footballers rising to greater levels, driven on by fans.
Saudi Arabia defy reality to stun Argentina with enormous World Cup shock
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia: Goals from Saleh Al Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari completed an incredible comeback at the Lusail Stadium, ending the Albiceleste’s 36-game unbeaten streak
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia player ratings:
Argentina suffered one of the greatest World Cup shocks of all time as they went down 2-1 to underdogs Saudi Arabia in Qatar.
The South American side were one of the pre-tournament favourites but endured the worst possible start to Lionel Messi’s quest to finally get a World Cup winners medal with a stunning loss.
Messi scored from the penalty spot early on but 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 looking utterly shell-shocked
Despite plenty of possession after that, Argentina were unable to find the all-important equaliser as they slipped to a stunning loss.
Here are how the Argentina players rated in their Group C opener:
Argentina vs Saudi Arabia player ratings: Lionel Messi struggles in stunning loss
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia: Argentina were on the wrong end of one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
Joe Cole:
“Mexico is now massive. For Scaloni, a young and inexperienced manager, went on a run... this is a huge test now. He’s got to lift that group of players and find a way to get them back. It’s a big ask for him.”
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
Roy Keane:
“They had something to hold on. Argentina didn’t show the quality - the decision-making! Fantastic from Saudi Arabia! They got the bodies back, they were strong and got a bit of luck!”
Joe Cole:
“I thought ‘what are they thinking with that high line’. Messi never got on the ball, one of the most quiet games I’ve seen him play!”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments