Saudi Arabia cause one of the biggest upsets in football history with 2-1 win over Argentina
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Saudi Arabia have beaten Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the opening game of their World Cup campaign in one of the biggest sporting upsets in recent memory.
The Gulf state currently ranks low 51st in the world behind hosts Qatar and entered the tournament with low expectations in a group with Argentina, who have been tipped by many to challenge for ultimate glory.
But in a truly stunning turn of events, the underdogs saw the team, number three in the world, crash to the bottom of Group C with an amazing 2-1 victory.
In doing so, they snapped Argentina’s 36-game winning streak and nearly destroyed 35-year-old Messi’s dream of winning the World Cup in what could be the maestro’s last-ever international competition.
Argentina’s loss rivals other World Cup upsets, such as Senegal’s 1–0 win over defending champions France 1–0 in the 2002 tournament opener and the United States beating England by the same scoreline in 1950.
Saleh Al-Shehri from Saudi Arabia celebrates his team’s equalizer
Salem Al-Dawsari of Saudi Arabia, in front, celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, November 22 2022
Argentina’s Lionel Messi looks annoyed as his team concedes to Saudi Arabia
Saudi fans celebrate in the stands as their team fends off one of the tournament favorites Argentina
Argentinian fans looked extremely dejected after the game in which their team was sidelined six times and three goals disallowed
A young Argentina supporter reacts at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group C football match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia
Argentina fans show dejection after Saudi Arabia’s second goal during 2022 FIFA World Cup Group C match at Lusail Stadium
Saudi supporters were entranced at the final whistle
The man regarded by many as the world’s greatest footballer ever gave Argentina a clinically questionable penalty in the first half, but Saudi Arabia reacted quickly after half time with a fine finish from Saleh Al-Shehri after 48 minutes.
Saudi star Salem Al-Dawsari followed up the equalizer minutes later with a missile into the top corner, sending his supporters into ecstasy as Messi hid his head in his hands.
The final moments of the game saw the Saudi back line fend off attack after attack, with the allotted eight minutes of extra time somehow extended to 13 by the referee.
But the defense held firm and as the final whistle blew the Saudi contingent inside the stadium erupted in wild celebrations, while Argentine supporters looked on in disbelief.
Saudi Arabia now sits victoriously at the top of the group, with Poland and Mexico later today.
It was a 33/1 shot to win the match before kick-off at Lusail Stadium.
But trailing 1-0 to Argentina at half-time, the odds of the Gulf state returning to win the Group C match were an eye-watering 500/1.
The kingdom is 48 places lower than Argentina in the FIFA world ranking.
Argentina players show their dejection after the 2-1 defeat during the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on November 22, 2022
Argentina fans were seen crying in the stands as their team was defeated by Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Saleh Alshehri celebrates scoring his goal with teammates as Saudi Arabia beat Argentina in a giant upset
Argentina’s Lionel Messi watches in disbelief as Saudi players celebrate their goal during the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia
Feras Albrikan of Saudi Arabia in action during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on November 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar
Saudi Arabian fans celebrate in the stands as despondent Argentinian supporters watch
Saudi Arabia fans cheer as their side beat Argentina at the World Cup
Argentina’s 36-game unbeaten run ended at Lusail Stadium in Messi’s fifth – and likely last – World Cup.
The Paris Saint-Germain star shook hands with a Saudi technical staff member after the final whistle and stood with his hands on his hips near the center circle, an all too familiar scene for one of the best ever players yet to win the title . biggest prize in football.
A stunned Messi watched as dozens of green-clad fans from Qatar’s neighbor Saudi Arabia celebrated in disbelief in the stands as Saudi Arabia’s substitutes stormed the pitch.