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

World Cup: Daily update from day 2 in Qatar

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 vs Saudi Arabia latest updates

• FULL-TIME! Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
• Argentina beaten by Saudi Arabia in huge World Cup shock
• Follow the day’s next game with our blog - Denmark vs Tunisia
• 53’ - GOAL! Al-Dawsari curls in stunning strike to give underdogs the lead (ARG 1-2 KSA)
• 48’ - GOAL! Al-Shehri grabs shock equaliser with neat finish (ARG 1-1 KSA)
• 35’ - OFFSIDE! Argentina have a third disallowed goal as Martinez caught offside (ARG 1-0 KSA)
• 28’ - OFFSIDE! Martinex finishes smartly but VAR rules goal out after long delay (ARG 1-0 KSA)
• 22’ - OFFSIDE! Messi scores but has goal ruled out for offside (ARG 1-0 KSA)
• 10’ - GOAL! Messi scores controversial penalty (ARG 1-0 KSA)

[22 November 2022 11:11 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

48 mins: Di Maria offside early on.

How about this for a stat: Argentina were caught offside seven times in the first half - more than any side in a match at the 2018 World Cup!

[22 November 2022 11:10 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

45 mins: We’re back underway with the second-half!

No changes at the break but Saudi of course had that substitution in the first-half...

Can the underdogs possibly find a goal in this second-half?

[22 November 2022 11:04 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia: Pundit quotes!

Graeme Souness, speaking to ITV:

“They seem quite intent to not control the ball which is surprising agains a team like Saudi Arabia. You have to give some credit to Saudi with their physical approach to Argentina. I think Argentina have another gear to go.”

Roy Keane:

“Argentina really not quite at it. Saudi have done OK - when they do get set-pieces, the delivery has to be better. They’re in the game - but expect more from Argentina.”

[22 November 2022 10:53 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

HALF-TIME: Argentina lead at the break courtesy of that Lionel Messi penalty!

And while Argentina have had two goals ruled out - one dubiously for a perilously close offside - Saudi have held their own here and are still well in the game!

It’s not done for Argentina yet. One of the tournament favourites still have work to do...

(Getty Images)

[22 November 2022 10:51 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

45+4 mins: Turns out Saudi captain Salman Al-Faraj is not fit to continue - he looks understandbly gutted as he trudges off, looks like an ankle/foot problem.

Nawaf Albaid takes his place. Salem Aldawsari takes over as captain...

[22 November 2022 10:50 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

45+2 mins: Di Maria is found beautifully in the box but the Juventus winger can only find Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais...

[22 November 2022 10:48 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

45 mins: Five minutes of added time at the end of the first-half here...

Rodrigo de Paul broke into the box and was looking for Messi - but it’s well intercepted!

Saudi Arabia will be satisfied if they can hold it to 1-0 at the break...

[22 November 2022 10:44 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

43 mins: Saudi head the ball out straight to Rodrigo de Paul on the edge of the box... but he completely miscues and skies his effort into the stands!

Good chance that!

[22 November 2022 10:43 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

42 mins: Gomez wins another free-kick for Argentina on the left-hand side, with Lionel Messi over the ball again...

[22 November 2022 10:40 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

38 mins: Break in play here (don’t worry it’ll be added on!) with Saudi captain Salman Al-Faraj down and receiving treatment.

He looks OK to carry on though...