Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
A World Cup on their doorstep, a World Cup with a true world great – there was always going to be fascination around this meeting between Saudi Arabia and Argentina in the venue which will host the final in 26 days’ time.
Putting everything else to one side, though, there was really only one story in town and it did not take long to materialise.
In fact, it was only 10 minutes before Lionel Messi was up and running to set the South Americans on their way to victory in this Group C opener.
Based on what I’ve read, half of the media in the western world seems to be pining for a romantic coronation of the great Messi’s career at this World Cup 2022.
So, for those who cherish that conclusion, this was an ideal start right?
Wrong! Instead, it was one of the most sensational results in World Cup history!
Highlights of the game
According to Opta, Argentina have the second-highest probability of winning this year’s World Cup. Manager Lionel Scaloni has created a team and made Messi smile while playing for his country again, surrounding himself with figures he trusted from his playing days and changed the narrative.
Their star man had already come close to open the scoring inside two minutes only for Mohammed Al Owais to push his effort away.
Then came the 10th minute penalty, awarded after pushing and shoving in the box, a decision which causes frustration by the inconsistency in which such spot-kicks are given.
What followed in the first half were disallowed goals for Messi and Lautaro Martinez (twice), all correct decisions which irritated Argentina, although Saudi Arabia were operating a risky high line which would have been further punished but for the offside flag.
Into the second period and the pattern of play continued as the spirited Saudis – who lost their captain Salman Al Faraj to injury on the stroke of half-time – showed glimpses of their ability and plenty of tenacity before, to collective and widespread disbelief, a stunning turnaround in Qatar.
Three minutes after the restart they won the ball in midfield and Saleh Al-Shehri burst forward, showing too much pace for Christian Romero before firing across Emiliano Martinez and into the far corner.
If that brought the game to life, the piece of skill five minutes later created shock on a seismic scale.
Salem Al Dawsari was surrounded by three players but swiftly turned, sidestepped a challenge and rifled a superb shot into the far corner, despite Martinez getting a hand to it.
Whatever happened for the remainder of the game, those five minutes had provided two of the World Cup’s most iconic moments.
Stunned, Argentina strived to hit back and it took a goal-saving challenge by Hassan Al Tambakt to deny Messi an instant leveller.
Alowais then reacted superbly at point blank range after substitute Lisandro Martinez’s shot deflected off Nicolas Tagliafico.
As time ticked on, so heroic was each Saudi challenge, block and interception that it appeared this may not just be a shock five minutes but one of the biggest shocks in football history.
To a man, they were quite brilliant and the celebrations which greeted the full-time whistle, following an eternity of stoppage time, will never be forgotten.
Saudi Arabia – Asia’s success story in the third qualifying round, topping a tough pool while successfully developing their next generation – have real talent in Al-Dawsari and Al-Shehri, while blooding youngsters such as Abdulelah al-Amri, Abdulelah al-Malki, Firas al-Buraikan and Najei.
Under Herve Renard – the Frenchman’s regular presence at Roshn Saudi League games and the team’s clear development on the pitch makes the nation feel they are in safe hands – they were already achieving.
Yet this result has taken them onto a whole new level. A whole new generation of footballers in this part of the world have just been inspired with the perfect story.
Incredible and the most amazing World Cup result in my lifetime.
Superb Saudis have sealed a seismic shock!
Key statistics
This defeat ended the South American giants’ 36 game unbeaten run, one behind the record set by Italy.
Messi is the fifth player to score at four different World Cup tournaments (2006, 2014, 2018, 2022) after Pelé, Uwe Seeler, Miroslav Klose and Cristiano Ronaldo.
He has become the first Argentinian to score in four World Cups. He is also the second oldest Argentina scorer at the World Cup (35 years, 151 days) after Martin Palermo in 2010 vs Greece (36 years, 227 days).
What’s next?
One of the group games I am looking forward to the most takes place on Saturday night when Argentina meet Mexico.
That will be preceded a few hours earlier by Saudi Arabia’s second Group C encounter as they entertain Poland.
The SBOTOP World Cup betting odds suggest the winners of Saturday night’s match encounter will top the group.
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