Qatar is not a popular host for the 2022 World Cup. It will be a tournament with an exclusive legacy and once again. However, amid fears of a boring tournament, Saudi Arabia produced a moment that will go down in World Cup history.
On Tuesday morning, the little-known Saudi Arabian team, managed by Hervé Renard, beat Argentina.
The World Cups awaken moments that are talked about all our lives. Zaire tries to protect a free kick from Brazil. Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal. Siphiwe’s “Goal for Africa” Tshabalala. La Saudi Arabia’s victory over Argentina and Lionel Messi is aiming for those ranks in extravagant moments of the World Cup.
The score of 2-1, a result that nobody saw coming. The ramifications for the rest of the organizational level are significant. This result brought Qatar 2022 to life as a sporting spectacle.
Argentina’s lack of power was the ultimate disappointment of the team’s performance at Lusail Stadium. Despite a quick lead thanks to a Lionel Messi penalty, the Albiceleste looked lethargic.
Of course, they would counter such a claim by stating that they were disallowed 3 goals in the first forty-five minutes.
Renard’s offside worked, with the semi-automatic offside detection tool operating in full compliance with regulations. Whether the written rules are applicable to this era of fashionable football remains a separate debate.
Messi started the lace with confidence. He led his beloved national team to what is likely to be his last World Cup. Gone are the visual symptoms of tension from 4 years ago. Messi did not seem to have the weight of a country on his shoulders. He now had a montón. de teammates who worked as a unit.
Lionel Scaloni’s fees had the label of favorites before the tournament because of this unity. After years of having talented players who weren’t a smart team, the South American giants had a reliable organization that could win together.
However, after only forty-five minutes at Lusail, Messi’s support cast left him.
Saudi Arabia’s equaliser came two minutes after the break. Saleh Alshehri scored on goal. He placed a shot in the back corner of the net.
The goal surprised the South Americans. Saudi Arabia failed to score a shot in the first half. As a result, the Saudis had the wind in their sails. Saudi Arabia threw itself into the challenges, getting rid of all the weather of Argentina with the ball. As a result, the power of the enthusiasts and any momentum of the first part evaporated.
Argentina on the ropes. After 53 minutes, an unlikely draw turned into a World Cup miracle.
Salem Aldawsari has recorded his squad in Saudi folklore with a candidate for the tour goal. He took advantage of a nervous Argentine defense to beat Emi Martinez.
From there, Argentina had a mountain to climb. All the tension and anxiety in Russia in 2018 has resurfaced. The color of Messi’s face has disappeared.
He knew he would have to step up his efforts and was met with a resolute Saudi backline. No one could have predicted how organized the team would be in 51st place in the rankings. Defensive headers prevented Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez from scoring. Meanwhile, Mohammed Al-Owais made five saves and in animated form.
Argentina may simply not find a breakthrough after the tension exerted. Now the team faces a complicated step towards the knockout stage.
Lionel Scaloni knows that now there is no room for error. Tough matches await him against Mexico and Poland. Results beyond them can influence Argentina’s fate, just as it did in 2018.
The Argentine coach is under pressure after such a surprise. Still, he said his team played well and took the Saudis lightly.
“We are a completely respectable Saudi Arabia,” he said at his post-match news conference. “It’s an unhappy day, but as we say, with your head held high, you have to recover. “
“It’s for digesting. In four, five minutes, they scored two two-shot goals.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Sipa USA