Saudi Arabia produced one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, as they came from behind to stun Argentina 2-1 in the opening match of Group C, ending the Albiceleste’s 36-match unbeaten run in dramatic fashion.
Saudi Arabia have been defensively sound since Hervé Renard took over in 2019, so the Frenchman would have been disappointed that a lack of discipline was at the heart of the solitary goal his side conceded in the first half.
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Lionel Messi smoothly dispatched the penalty into the corner, to become the first Argentinian player to score at four different World Cups.
The Albiceleste would find the net three more times, but on each occasion they were caught out by the Falcons offside trap, with Messi being its first victim before Lautaro Martínez twice had his celebrations cut short by a VAR check.
On the 48-minute mark, Saleh Al Shehri produced a neat finish from a wide angle to equalise, and just four minutes later the Green Falcons were flying high in stunning fashion.
Ultimately, not even eight minutes of additional time could offer Argentina redemption, and Saudi Arabia can now dream of advancing beyond a World Cup group stage for the first time since 1994.
