Fred Harrison and Kamsi Anayo
Lionel Messi-led Argentina National team was on Tuesday, shocked in a 2-1 defeat by minnows, Saudi Arabia National team at the opening game of group C first round qualifier in the ongoing World Cup in Qatar, registering the greatest-ever upset as tournament begins.
Pundits ranked the South Americans as one of the favourites to go all the way in Qatar but they were defeated in their first game of the tournament.
Argentina took the lead through Lionel Messi’s early penalty, which was awarded following a VAR decision.
But two goals in eight minutes just after half-time flipped the contest and Argentina couldn’t come back.
Saleh Al-Shehri nipped in to slide home the equaliser before Salem Al-Dawsari picked out the top corner.
It then took a great heroic defensive performance to see them home as they weathered a barrage Argentines’ attack till the final whistle.
The 98 minutes saw the Saudis come from behind against all the odds to beat one of the tournament favourites as Lionel Messi’s final campaign began in disappointing start.
Argentina dominated the game in the first and second halftime and outplayed Saudi Arabia and mounted heavy pressures which led to early penalty after VAR decisions.
Lionel Messi converted the penalty but the team was able to maintain the lead.
Saleh Al-Shehri was able to get ahead of Cristian Romero inside the Argentina box to slide home Saudi Arabia’s equaliser
Saudi Arabia, which is located just next door to Qatar, were well supported with thousands of fans travelling to the watch match.
The Argentines had three other goals ruled out for offside calls picked up by the automated system before half-time as Saudi’s high defensive line just about held.
But then they were left lying flat on the floor with two goals in the opening eight minutes of the second period.
Then, Salem Al-Dawsari worked space to shoot inside the box to pick out the top corner as Argentina’s defence was breached again.
A heroic defensive performance then saw Saudi Arabia to one of the World Cup’s most famous results.
Source: With Agency Reports.
