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
71 mins: Another sub for Argentina: left-back Tagliafico comes off, Acuna comes on.
Lionel Scaloni has one sub left...
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
70 mins: Saudi’s defensive line is still very high... but Argentina can’t get the right weight on their passes through!
Lautaro Martinez, this time, heads wide from a Messi corner. Messi, incidentally, looking somewhat shellshocked.
Argentina have 20 minutes to turn it around here!
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
66 mins: Julian Alvarez does well to dig out a cross from Messi’s wayward ball but the keeper claims comfortably!
He’s had quite the game so far has Mohammed Alowais!
Saudi still looking more energetic than Argentina... Abdulelah Almalki does receive a booking though for a late challenge on Cristian Romero.
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
63 mins: What a save from Mohammed Alowais!
Argentina win the second ball and, somehow, Lisandro Martinez’s poke towards goal is parried away by the Saudi goalkeeper!
Argentina have, finally, upped their tempo...
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
62 mins: Di Maria’s cross is close to Lautaro Martinez’s head in the box but he can’t quite get there!
Argentina do have a corner though... Messi over it...
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
59 mins: Triple sub for Argentina!
Fernandez, Alvarez, Martinez ON. Paredes, Gomez, Romero OFF.
Argentina need something and they need something fast...
It’s an unbelievable noise inside the Lusail Iconic Stadium - the Saudi fans are going mental!
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
57 mins: What a tackle!
Lionel Messi looks set to score in the box but it’s a brilliant goal-saving tackle from Saudi’s Hassan Altambakti!
And he celebrates it like he’s scored!
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia (Salem Aldawsari, 53)
53 mins: Oh my good god - Saudi Arabia lead against Argentina! And WHAT A GOAL!
Salem Aldawsari has scored a belter! Argentina block an initial shot, but then Aldawsari controls the ball beautifully, cuts in on his right-foot just inside the box and bends the ball brilliantly into the far top-corner!
Martinez gets a hand on it but to no avail! Joyous scenes on the Saudi bench!
Argentina have it all to do to avoid one of the all-time World Cup shocks...
Argentina 1-1 Saudi Arabia
50 mins: Argentina are all over the place here!
A miscued pass sees the space open up for Saleh Alshehri - but he is quickly shut down!
Argentina 1-1 Saudi Arabia (Saleh Alshehri, 48)
48 mins: Oh what a moment this is - Saudi Arabia equalise!
They win the ball in the middle of the park and then it’s all about Saudi striker Saleh Alshehri! He paces past Romero and then finishes brilliantly with his left foot into the corner beyond Martinez!
Jubilation in Lusail! Saudi are level against Argentina!
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