Lionel Messi kept his hands on his hips near the central circle, emotionless as jubilant Saudi players ran in all directions around him after scoring one of the biggest convulsions of the World Cup against Argentina.
The South American champion and one of the tournament’s favourites lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, in a daunting start in Messi’s quest to win the first name he has eluded.
Saudi Arabia’s return joined the list of major World Cup disruptions: Cameroon’s 1-0 victory over an Argentine team led by Diego Maradona in the opening match of the 1990 World Cup, Senegal’s 1-0 victory over protective champions France 1-0 in 2002 opened the tournament and the United States beat England by the same score in 1950.
“Before the game, we were favourites,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “But this kind of thing can happen at a World Cup. “
Messi gave Argentina the lead in the 10th minute with a coldly sent penalty, and the adjustment had the characteristics of a regime victory for the protective champions of the Copa America, who were on a 36-game unbeaten streak.
It was not carried out that way.
Goals from Saleh Alshehri and Salem Aldawsari in five minutes early in the moment gave the Saudis a historic result in the first World Cup held in the Middle East. The last biggest victory of the Saudis 1-0 against Belgium in the 1994 World Cup.
“All the stars covered us,” Saudi coach Herve Renard said. “We have made history in Saudi football. “
Messi, 35, who is playing his fifth and final World Cup with Argentina, scratched the side of his head and shook hands with a Saudi coach after the final whistle.
He walked into the tunnel with an organization of Argentine players and looked discouraged.
“We made a mistake in the middle of the moment,” Argentina forward Lautaro Martinez said. “The small main points make the difference. We want to fix them.
The unlikely victory was sealed with a somersault from Aldawsari, who shot a high ball just inside the penalty area, turned Nahuel Molina on the bounce, beat Leandro Paredes and unleashed a hard shot to the far corner in the 53rd.
A Messi watched the green-clad enthusiasts of Qatar’s neighbor Saudi Arabia celebrate in disbelief in the stands. Saudi substitutes invaded the field.
Messi gave Argentina the lead from the penalty spot after the video assistant referee told the referee to look at a blouse catch through Saud Abdulhamid over Paredes.
Saudi Arabia did not shoot on purpose in the first half and appeared to concede more by playing with a header that allowed Argentina to fall smoothly into the Saudi defence.
The equalizer in the 48th minute came with Saudi Arabia’s first goal, with Alshehri locating the farthest corner with a slender shot that went through the legs of defender Cristian Romero and beyond goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s shot.
Goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais made two key saves late in the game to keep the win.
Argentina faces Mexico in Group C on Saturday.
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