Despite the fact that this isn’t how it should have ended, it does every time. That slumped posture, that cold look, and that disheartened glare! Argentina’s goal in participating in this World Cup was to immortalize Lionel Messi. For a while, it will recall it as one of its biggest humiliations in history.
A team that had gone 35 games without losing before arriving in Qatar, the shine of its first international victory in a generation still brand new in the peoples’ memories, with undoubtedly the finest player of all time in great form and accompanied by his fellow players of the highest caliber, started its tournament with a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, a team that was meant to be nothing more than a lamb to the slaughter.
Confirmed lineups:
Argentina (4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. Molina, 13. Romero (Martinez-59), 19. Otamendi, 3. Tagliafico (Acuna-71) — 7. De Paul, 5. Paredes (Fernandez-59), 17. Gomez (Alvarez-71) — 10. Messi, 22. Martinez, 11. Di Maria
Saudi Arabia (4-3-3, right to left): 21. Al-Owais (GK) — 12. Abdulhamid, 17. Tambakti, 5. Al-Boleahi, 13. Al-Shahrani — 9. Al-Buraikan 23. Kanno, 8. Al-Malki, 7. Al-Faraj (Al-Abid-45+4), 10. Al-Dawsari — 11. Al-Shehri
The widely anticipated 2022 World Cup campaign of Argentina was launched with a seismic Group A setback by the 750-1 outsiders, leaving the world in the astonishment of the Saudi Arabian team.
How the match unfolded?
Due to three additional goals being ruled for offside—one for Messi and two for Lautaro Martinez—Argentina had been unable to establish their first – half dominance.
Salem Al-Dawsari dribbled past a defender, twisted around, and curled a wonderful effort from the left outside of the area into the top – right corner in the 53rd minute of the match after first advancing past Cristan Romero and shooting with his left foot into the far corner.
Nicolas Tagliafico, Lionel Messi, and Julian Alvarez all tried their best to get Argentina back into the game, however Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Owais produced a series of saves to preserve one of the most incredible outcomes in the FIFA World Cup history.
Saudi Arabia now has a chance to go to the last 16 for just the second time as they get ready to play Poland, while Argentina needs to get their act together before playing Mexico.
And the 104th minute makes history: Saudi Arabia accomplished this! This is among the major turning points ever witnessed in the FIFA World Cup. Incredible scenes!
Goals scored in the match:
- 10th min : By ARG – Lionel Messi
- 48th min : By SAU – Saleh Al-Shehri
- 53rd min : By SAU – Salem Al-Dawsari
This was one hell of a showdown. A true David Vs Goliath story where the underdogs Saudi team scored a major upset over the highly decorated Argentinian team. Who knows, the win for Saudi and loss for Argentina may turn out to be extremely crucial in the final points table for making it to the knockout stage. Only time will tell!
Until then, stay tuned with us as H3bet keeps bringing you all the latest and greatest updates to all the matches as FIFA 2022 unfolds.