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:
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
Graeme Souness, speaking on ITV:
“I am gobsmacked. I’ve never seen an Argentina team not turn up for the fight - they were wishy-washy today. I thought Argentina had another gear, they didn’t have another gear!
“If that’s their quality, England have nothing to fear if they face them in this competition. Argentina didn’t match them. They got intimidated today by Saudi Arabia! They got rolled over by a very enthusiastic and aggressive Saudi Arabia! I am so disappointed in Argentina!”
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
The Saudi squad run over to celebrate in front of their adoring fans - what a special moment for Saudi Arabia and this World Cup!
Humilation for Lionel Messi and Argentina...
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
FULL-TIME!
Can you believe it?! Saudi Arabia - the 53rd ranked team - have beaten Argentina at the World Cup!
It’s Argentina’s first loss in three years! But it’s jubilation for Saudi Arabia! The players fall to the ground - the subs run onto the pitch!
An all-time World Cup shock!
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
90+10 mins: Di Maria crosses in and Alvarez heads towards goal... but it’s saved again by Alowais!
Saudi Arabia are nearly there...
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
90+10 mins: Alvarez wins a corner for Argentina...
Last chance saloon now..
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
90+9 mins: Yasser Alshahrani is on a stretcher - he looks OK, though will be substituted!
Mohammed Alburayk will take his place. Got about three minutes left of playing time I reckon...
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
90+5 mins: A Saudi player is down here in the box - Alowais comes out to punch the ball and knees Yasser Alshahrani in the face!
No time wasting here. The keeper is distraught. It looks very serious here...
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
90+2 mins: Saudi clear the ball off the line!
Alowais can only palm the cross to Alvarez, whose effort is headed off the line from Alamri!
High-fives all round! Saudi keeper Alowais booked as he complains he should have had a free-kick!
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
90+1 mins: Messi’s free-kick is tame and headed clear... and is wildly celebrarted by Saudi Arabia!
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