Saudi Arabia Football team stunned Lionel Messi’s Argentina on Tuesday, beating the two-time winners 2-1 in one of the biggest upsets in FIFA World Cup history.
Saudi Arabia defeated the two-time World Cup champions by 2-1 while playing their opener during the FIFA World Cup 2022 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Qatar’s Lusail.
Also Read : Google accidentally claims Brazil & France as finalists of the FIFA World Cup 2022
Both Argentina and Saudi Arabia are in Group C and were playing their opening match in the biggest mega event on the planet. Also, both Argentina and Saudi Arabia had chosen the 4-3-3 formation.
Despite a star-studded side, Argentina did not have a clear dominating side. Messi and Emiliano Martinez though did some magic in the first 10 minutes and kept the ball within the Argentinian feet.
However, referee Slavko Vincic decided to award a penalty shootout to the Argentinians as Saudi players foul an Al Beiceleste star. Messi took the shot and hit it to the keeper’s right with aplomb in the 10th minute. With this, Messi has become the first Argentina player to score at 4 World Cups. This gave Argentina a lead of 1-0 against Saudi Arabia.
The game proceeded and Argentina’s Messi and Martinez scored the goal. But they were ruled out for offside. The Argentinian fans were voicing their frustration after the VAR decision.
Even after the referee, Slavko Vincic added five minutes in the first half, Saudi Arabia could not score a goal and Argentina managed to keep the lead. However, it was not the case after half-time, and Saudi Arabia seemed suddenly attack.
Despite several attempts, Messi was denied a goal, as Saudi Arabia’s goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais restricted him with his brilliant saves. However, Owais was awarded a yellow card in the 90th minute for remonstrating with the referee. Eight minutes were added to the game, but there was no change in the result and the Green Falcons (Saudi Arabia) stun Argentina 2-1 in the opener of Group C of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Argentina, who were one of the favorites to win the World Cup, would have equaled Italy’s record of 37 matches unbeaten had they avoided defeat in the Lusail Stadium. Remember that Saudi Arabia is ranked 51st in the FIFA world rankings