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 10:37 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

35 mins: Martinez is played through again... sits down the keeper and scores into an empty net... but he’s offside again!

This one is clear-cut - unlike the thought process behind Saudi Arabia’s high line!

[22 November 2022 10:36 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

34 mins: Argentina are being quite careless with the ball here - a few misplaced passes just gifting possession back to Saudi Arabia!

Meanwhile, we’ve seen Martinez’s offside goal - and it seems it’s the top of his t-shirt which is offside!

Laughable really...

(Getty Images)

[22 November 2022 10:33 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

32 mins: Beside Argentina’s clear chances, Saudi Arabia are well in the game here. And they’re not scared of being physical either!

They’ve got a free-kick on the left-hand side... but it’s comfortably into the hands of Emiliano Martinez!

[22 November 2022 10:31 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

Oh hang on... it’s been disallowed for offside! As you were...

Very confusing - Martinez looked clearly onside! Lionel Messi was offside but did not go near the ball....

Perplexed.

[22 November 2022 10:30 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 2-0 Saudi Arabia (Martinez, 28)

28 mins: Another goal for Argentina - and it’s Lautaro Martinez!

It’s a terrific finish from the Inter striker - he’s played through and cooly chips the ball over the Saudi keeper!

Breathing space for Argentina!

[22 November 2022 10:24 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

22 mins: Lionel Messi is in behind the Saudi defence... and scores... but the flag goes up!

He’s played superbly in behind and finishes comfortably into the corner... but the captain is offside - JUST!

Let-off for Saudi Arabia.

[22 November 2022 10:23 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

21 mins: Papu Gómez this time cuts inside from the left-hand side and shoots - but it’s harmlessly over the bar!

When Argentina do get in Saudi’s final-third, they look threatening straight away...

[22 November 2022 10:21 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

20 mins: Lautaro Martinez gets in behind and shoots over before the flag eventually goes up - the Argentina forward was clearly offside!

Terrific noise being generated by both sets of fans inside the stadium!

[22 November 2022 10:19 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

17 mins: First meaningful attack from Saudi Arabia with a threatening cross in the box... but the ball deflects nicely into the hands of Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez.

Tell you what, when the Argentines have the ball, Saudi Arabia’s defensive line is very high! Risky...

[22 November 2022 10:17 · Kieran Jackson]

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

15 mins: A good response from Saudi, who have had their fair share of the ball since the opening goal, but are struggling to make an impact in the final third.

Meanwhile - a picture of Messi’s celebrations after his first goal of this World Cup!

Fun fact: Messi failed to score at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa - the only World Cup he has played and failed to score in!

(Getty Images)