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:
France 2-1 Australia
33 mins: Australia are a bit sloppy as they play the ball out the back after a goal kick, and goalscorer Rabiot knicks it on the left flank.
It falls for Mbappe, who hops and rolls a back-heel back to Rabiot. The midfielder then cuts a pass back into the centre of the France box, where Giroud steps up to it and passes it home from about six yards out!
GOAL! France 2-1 Australia (Giroud, 32)
31 mins: AND FRANCE LEAD!
It’s such a lovely move from the left, and it ends with Giroud tucking away a close-range finish!
France 1-1 Australia
GOAL! France 1-1 Australia (Rabiot, 27)
27 mins: FRANCE EQUALISE!
They saw their corner cleared, but the second phase ends with T Hernandez swinging in a cross from deep on the left...
And Rabiot leaps to meet it, directing a fine header past Ryan and into the back of the net!
France 0-1 Australia
26 mins: Dembele slides a pass into the Australia box, where Griezmann rushes in to meet it.
Rowles intercepts and concedes a corner, but France see it headed away.
France 0-1 Australia
25 mins: Mbappe spins his man and races up the left wing towards the Australia box, but there is Souttar to cover for his teammate!
He smashes the ball out for a France throw-in.
France 0-1 Australia
A moment that will be remembered throughout this whole tournament and, if Australia win this game, for years and years to come.
France 0-1 Australia
21 mins: CLOSE!
T Hernandez with a sloppy pass in his own half, after darting inside from the left.
Duke pounces on it and DRILLS a shot towards the top corner from range!
It rises just a bit too much, though!
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