Saudi Arabia produced the first upset of the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals when they stunned favourites Argentina 2-1 in their opening match at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday afternoon.
The Falcons, who are coached by Frenchman Herve Renard, came from behind with two goals in eight minutes in the second half of the match.
Saleh Al-Shehri netted Saudi Arabia’s first goal three minutes into the second half. The Falcons, who are the lowest ranked team at the World Cup at 51st spot, took the lead when Salem al-Dawsari’s curler beat Argentine goalkeeper Emi Martinez in the 53rd minute.
The two Saudi goals were a response to the 1986 world champions, who had taken the lead after Paris Saint Germain superstar Lionel Messi had converted a penalty in the 10th minute.
Messi became the first Argentine footballer to score in four World Cup tournaments – 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022. The Argentine has scored against 34 different countries.
The 35-year-old Messi thought he had scored a brace, but his goal was ruled offside in the 22nd minute. Two more goals – scored by Lauro Martinez in the 29th and 35th minutes – were also ruled offside.
Meanwhile, this is the first time ever that Saudi Arabia won a World Cup opening match while the Argentine’s last loss in the tournament opener was 32 years ago in Italy.
