World Cup 2022: Messi’s Argentina Lose To Saudi Arabia In Surprising Upset

Topline

Saudi Arabia defeated a Lionel Messi-led Argentina 2-1 in each side’ opening recreation on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday, within the largest upset of the occasion to date, placing the one of many match’s favorites in actual hazard of an early exit.

Lionel Messi of Argentina seems dejected through the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between … [+] Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium.

Getty Pictures

Key Details

The Saudi workforce was capable of safe a historic victory after striker Saleh Alshehri and winger Salem Aldawsari scored back-to-back targets within the house of 5 minutes within the early a part of the second half.

Argentine captain Messi had put his workforce forward 10 minutes into the beginning of the sport, scoring from the penalty spot after the Saudi workforce conceded a foul contained in the field.

Regardless of sustaining practically 70% of the possession all through the sport, Argentina have been punished for failing to breach the Saudi defenses.

Messi’s hopes of lastly securing a World Cup now relaxation on his workforce’s potential to attain victories towards Mexico and Poland, the 2 different members of its group, that are each ranked a lot greater than Saudi Arabia.

Massive Quantity

36. That’s the variety of video games Argentina had remained unbeaten in earlier than their surprising Tuesday loss. The defeat means Argentina falls one wanting Italy’s world report of 37 unbeaten video games on the trot.

Key Background

The World Cup is the one main trophy that has evaded Messi, who’s extensively thought-about the best footballer of his era alongside Portuguese celebrity Cristiano Ronaldo. With a long-unbeaten streak and a revitalized Messi main them, Argentina entered the match as one of many favorites to win. The loss to Saudi Arabia is more likely to deliver again recollections of the 1990 World Cup the place defending world champions Argentina, then led by Diego Maradona, have been shocked by Cameroon’s 1-0 win over them of their first recreation of the match.