World Cup 2022: Saudi Arabia Claims Shocking Victory Against Argentina

 

Argentina has been humbled and even Lionel Messi could not stop the team from sliding to a 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in a stunning and unpredictable loss in a Fifa World Cup tournament in Qatar. 

Saudi came into the match as a predictable easy beat for the Agentine who had been unbeaten for three consecutive years and the last team they lost to was Brazil. All that expectations vanished when the Saudis made a comeback from behind to take the lead and held on even through the well-stretched injury time. 

The first goal happened from a penalty drawn from Saud Abdulhamid's rough holding of Paredes following a corner and Lionel Messi converted the spot kick for Argentina's lead early into the game. The situation quickly changed for the Saudis soon after the halftime break. 

Three minutes after the break, Abdulelah Al Malki's cross inspired a fastbreak of the Saudis and Al Shehri finished off the counter curling home the ball from the edge of the box and Al Dawsari gave the side the deserved lead five minutes later. 

Al Brikan's cross from the right flank found Al Dawsari who dribbled three Argentines in the box and finished off his effort by curling home a right-footed shot that beat goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to the goal in the 53rd minute. 

The Saudis came close to losing the lead in the injury time as Angel Di Maria attempted a shot at the goal from inside the box while goalkeeper Al Owais was already beaten but a header clearance from the goalline saved the Saudis. 

Argentine are not near suffering early elimination as they are at the bottom of Group C while the Saudis lead on three points and they are the first Arabian team to win a match in Fifa World Cup tournament hosted in the Middle East.