David GOMBE
Hervé Renard’s beleaguered Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the biggest World Cup shocks with a 2-1 win over two time world champions Argentina in a Group C opener in Lusail.
Saudi Arabia a side ranked 51st in the world came from behind to stun Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Messi gave Argentina the lead in the first half from the penalty spot before they had three goals ruled out for offside.
Early in the second period, Saleh Al- Shehri restored parity for Saudi Arabia with a low effort and Salem Al Dawsari gave them the lead moments later to send the fans into delight.
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Argentina the 2021 Copa America champions came into the tournament on a 36-game unbeaten run.
In the five games before the World Cup they kept five clean sheets and netted 16 times and had not lost a game since their defeat to Brazil in the final of the 2019 Copa America.
This is also the first time since 1974 that Argentina have conceded two goals in their world cup opening game. The previous one was the 4-2 defeat to Poland in 1974.
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Renard’s side become the first non-European team to beat Argentina at the World Cup since Cameroon in 1990.
Meanwhile, the last three teams to beat Argentina at the World Cup have gone on to win the competition (Germany in 2014, France in 2018) or reached the final (Croatia in 2018).
Messi’s Argentina next face Mexico on Saturday, while Saudi Arabia take on Poland.
