Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

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

Kieran Jackson
Tuesday 22 November 2022 17:50 GMT
Comments
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:

Mexico 0-0 Poland

90+2 mins: The corner is headed away by Glik.

Brave defending from the Poland man, who a couple of minutes ago blocked a Lozano cross with his face at point-blank range.

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 17:50

Mexico 0-0 Poland

90 mins: Mexico win a corner on their right flank through Antuna.

Seven minutes of added time to come.

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 17:49

Mexico 0-0 Poland

87 mins: Lozano has looked just as dangerous since moving to the left as he was on the right.

Not his best moment now, though: He tries a cross with the outside of boot, but it’s blocked, then the Mexico man charges into the back of Cash and gives away a free kick.

Zielinski is replaced by Arkadiusz Milik for Poland.

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 17:46

Mexico 0-0 Poland

85 mins: A bit of a role reversal now, as Cash blocks a cross and the ball goes out for a Mexico corner.

The corner is headed out of the Poland box, and the Mexican players work the ball out to their right, where they win a throw-in.

Uriel Antuna replaces Alexis Vega in the meantime.

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 17:42

Mexico 0-0 Poland

82 mins: Cash’s cross from Poland’s right flank is cut out at the source, and the ball goes out for a corner...

The subsequent delivery is headed across goal, then cleared at the back post!

Mexico break and switch play to the left wing, where Jimenez will surge towards the Poland box...

But he’s dispossessed!

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 17:40

Mexico 0-0 Poland

81 mins: Vega tries his luck from a long way out, but his shot swerves well high and wide of the Poland goal.

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 17:38

Mexico 0-0 Poland

As promised, here is more on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United exit, which was confirmed moments ago:

Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Manchester United with immediate effect

Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United with immediate effect in the wake of his explosive interview with Piers Morgan ahead of the World Cup.

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 17:37

Mexico 0-0 Poland

77 mins: Now Frankowski wins a free kick.

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 17:35

Mexico 0-0 Poland

76 mins: Poland substitute Frankowski receives a yellow card for a late challenge on Lozano, who is left holding his calf while on the turf.

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 17:34

Mexico 0-0 Poland

In other news...

Manchester United have just announced that Cristiano Ronaldo will leave the club by mutual consent with immediate effect.

Stay right here; we’ll have more on that for you in a few moments.

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 17:32

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in