What a shocker, what a result in Qatar! Saudi Arabia came back from a goal down to record their biggest win in history by overcoming second favourites Argentina 2-1. Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari both scored in eight remarkable second-half minutes to cancel out Lionel Messi’s early spot-kick goal and produce the biggest World Cup upset since Senegal’s win over champions France back in 2002!.The first half at Lusail Stadium in Al Daayen was a strange affair. Lionel Messi scored from the spot after just ten minutes of play. Argentina were attacking and looked firmly in control. But no matter how hard they tried to score another goal – they kept falling in the Saudis’ offside traps. Time after time. Lautaro Martinez scored and celebrated his goal – only to see his effort denied after a VAR review. It was a common theme: Argentina attacked by putting the ball behind the Arabs’ high backline, but the assistant’s flag would go up time after time again. A total of eight offside decisions went against the South Americans.Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic blew for halftime as most of those watching thought: “Yeah, the Argentines will score a few more here and settle the match soon before later”. But Herve Renard and his players had different ideas.Less than ten minutes after the resumption – this match was completely different.Saleh Al-Shehri got away from Christian Romero before firing across Emiliano Martinez and into the far corner. The noise was incredible as the green and white waves of joy hit the stands. Argentina are just a team – and no team is unbeatable!Saudi Arabia’s talisman and captain Salem Al-Dawsari made millions of jaws to drop around the world as he controlled the ball and fired a beautiful curling shot past Martinez to give his team the lead. Football. pic.twitter.com/15KU0uqPlq— 433 (@433) November 22, 2022 Many said that the World Cup doesn’t really start until Argentina and Brazil have played their first matches. But this year, it was the two unlikely Saudi goals that felt like the party has really started. It was the moment we stopped thinking about rainbow-coloured captain’s armbands and beer availability in Qatar – and focused on the game itself.##NAJAVA_MECA_6834163##On the pitch, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made three changes to try and regain control of the game. Cristian Romero, Papu Gomez and Leandro Paredes all went off, with Lisandro Martinez, Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez replacing them. But the shell-shocker Argentines still didn’t look like a team that was billed as the second favourite to win the trophy.SAUDI ARABIA SHOCK THE WORLD 🤯 pic.twitter.com/tOFvllbfeD— 433 (@433) November 22, 2022 Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais managed to injure his teammate while guardin his net in injury time, but he’s also made some wonderful stops to propel his nation to a result that will live forever in everyone’s memory.A win to inspire a generation – and cause nightmares to millions of Argentines (©Getty Images)Hey, the World Cup has now really started!WORLD CUPGroup stageTuesday, Nov 22ndArgentina – Saudi Arabia 1-2 (1-0)/Messi 10 pen – Al Shehri 48, Al Dawsari 53/16:00: (1.45) Denmark (4.20) Tunisia (8.00) D19:00: (2.75) Mexico (2.95) Poland (2.85) C22:00: (1.25) France (6.25) Australia (11.0) D##SPECIAL_STANDINGS_Group C##
