ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saudi Arabia’s Firas Al-Burikan, left, battles for the ball with Argentina’s Nicolas Tagliafico in the World Cup Group C soccer match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Tuesday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts to the World Cup Group C soccer match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Tuesday.
LUSAIL, Qatar >> Lionel Messi stood with his hands on his hips near the central circle, emotionless as jubilant Saudi players raced in all instructions around him after achieving one of the biggest upheavals of the World Cup against Argentina.
The South American champions and one of the tournament’s favourites lost 2-1 to the second-lowest-ranked team at the World Cup in a disappointing start in Messi’s quest to win the one main name he has eluded.
Asked how he felt after a painful start to his record 5th World Cup with Argentina, Messi replied: “The truth?It’s a very hard blow because we didn’t expect to start this way. “
Saudi Arabia’s return joins the list of other major World Cup upheavals: Cameroon’s 1-0 win over an Argentine team led by Diego Maradona in the opening match of the 1990 World Cup; Senegal defeated defending champion France 1–0 in the tournament’s opening match in 2002; or the United States beating England by the same score in 1950.
“We know the World Cup is like that,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “Sometimes you can shoot matches against each other and in a few you lose. “
That summed up the tone of a game in which Messi gave Argentina the lead, calmly converting a penalty in the 10th minute for his 92nd foreign goal. It had all the ingredients for a regime victory for the reigning Copa America champions, who were on a 36-game unbeaten streak, one short of foreign football’s record.
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. a mythical individual purpose of Saeed Al-Owairan.
“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 other Argentine players and looked discouraged, a scene all too familiar for the seven-time world player of the year who has yet to win the soccer award.
“We are facing two finals now,” Argentine forward Lautaro Martinez said ahead of the organization’s remaining matches against Mexico and Poland. “We ruined everything in half. “
The unlikely victory of a team composed entirely of Saudi players sealed with a somersault from Aldawsari, who dropped a high ball just inside the penalty area, spun past Nahuel Molina with a rebound, dribbled past Leandro Paredes and directed a hard shot to the far corner. in 53.
A stunned Messi watched as green-clad Saudi fans, who had crossed the Qatari border through thousands, celebrated in disbelief in the stands. goal.
“It’s one of the books,” Renard said.
Argentina’s initial dominance was such that Saudi Arabia did not shoot on purpose in the first half, that Alibiceleste had 3 goals disallowed for offside while continuously behind the superior defensive line of the Saudis.
“Some of those were made lightly,” Scaloni said, “but this is the generation for you. “
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.
Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais made two saves in 14 minutes of stoppage time to hold on to a group-shaking victory.
“This organization has stood out for its consistency, strength and it’s time to be more united than ever,” Messi said.
TURN AROUND
Argentina had never lost a World Cup match leading part-time since 1930, when the team conceded 3 goals in the halftime to lose to Uruguay 4-2.
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Saudi Arabia increased its chances of reaching World Cup qualifying for the first time since 1994. “There will be 20 minutes of birthday party for us,” Renard said. “We still have two games, or more. “
FOLLOWING
Argentina returns to Lusail Stadium to face Mexico on Saturday. Saudi Arabia faces Poland on the same day.
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