DOHA, Qatar
Argentina suffered one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history after Saudi Arabia completed a remarkable comeback of 2-1 victory at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Argentina, captained by Lionel
Messi and on a 36-run unbeaten streak, were billed as one of the favourites
coming into the Qatar tournament.
Ranked 51st in the world,
Saudi Arabia could have been done and dusted in the first half as Lionel Messi
opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Argentina had three goals ruled
out for offside.
But Saudi Arabia flipped the game on its head in a stunning 10-minute period after half-time, Saleh Al-Shehri levelling with a low effort and Salem Al Dawsari firing them ahead to spark pandemonium in the stands.
Having shown their
ruthlessness at one end, the Green Falcons demonstrated a ruggedness at the other,
holding a stellar Argentina front line at bay to secure only their fourth World
Cup win and throw the group wide open.
Argentina came into the
tournament among the favourites, on the back of a 36-game unbeaten run that
included winning the 2021 Copa America.
They now have it all to do to
keep alive their hopes of a first global triumph since 1986 and give Messi a
fitting ending to what is very likely his World Cup swansong.
Argentina manager Lionel
Scaloni early Tuesday said that he is wary of the threat posed by their World
Cup-opening rivals Saudi Arabia.
Argentina won the 2021 Copa
America but despite always being one of the World Cup favourites they have not
lifted football's most precious trophy in the last 36 years.
"In a national team like
Argentina you always carry pressure being the coach. And if the results don't
go your way, I know how it works", Scaloni told a news conference on
Monday.
"But I am also clear
about the path I choose. Let it be clear that under no circumstances are we
obliged to win a World Cup. Not at all. We are wrong if we believe that.” He added.
The Argentines, who have
landed in Group C alongside Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland, will have to try
their luck against other two teams; they face Mexico on Saturday, while Saudi
Arabia take on Poland. - Africa
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