Saudis stun the world: Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia have shocked the world as they kickstarted their 2022 World Cup campaign with a fairy-tale victory over Argentina.
Argentina took the lead early on after being awarded a penalty when Saud Abdulhamid pulled Leandro Paredes to the ground. Lionel Messi then converted from the spot to put the South American’s ahead in the opening 10 minutes.
Not long after, Messi had the ball in the back of the net after taking down a long stretch pass over the defensive line and slotting it underneath Mohammed Alowais, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Argentina’s attack were thwarted by the offside rule yet again as Lautaro Martinez expertly chipped the ball over the Saudi Arabian ‘keeper, before being flagged for offside.
Martinez would be called once again for offside in the first half after his coolly composed effort was met with the linesman’s flag.
As the second half got underway, Argentina seemed deflated and much sloppier in play, which the opposition pounced on.
The Green Falcons equalised through Saleh Alshehri four minutes after the break. Alshehri drove into the box at the left-hand side, before firing a low deflected shot into the net, sending the Saudi crowd into raptures.
Just three minutes later, Saudi Arabia had put themselves in front. Saleh Aldawsari took advantage of Argentina’s sleeping defence as he received the ball after a blocked shot, which the Sky Blues failed to clear, before cutting into the box and unleashing a perfect strike which curled past the reach of Emiliano Martinez’s glove.
As the noise in the Lusail Stadium reached deafening levels, the play on the park became frantic as Argentina scrambled to pick up the pieces of their momentous collapse.
The Saudis remained resilient in defence throughout the remainder of the game as they were continually hit by Argentinian attacks.
Abdulelah Al-Amri came to the rescue of the Dark Greens with under 10 minutes remaining as he headed the ball clear off the line after the ‘keeper was wiped out by a collision in the box.
Mohammed Alowais produced time and time again for Saudi Arabia as he stood tall in the net to protect his side’s lead by blocking dangerous shots from Nicolas Tagliafico and Lionel Messi.
After playing 13 minutes of added time, the Saudis were finally rewarded with the final whistle as they etched their names in the history books.