Argentina Loses to Saudi Arabia: First Major Shock of FIFA World Cup 2022

DOHA: The opening match turned out to be a shocker for the team Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2022 as they lost to Saudi Arabia with a difference of a single goal.

Lionel Messi's Argentina team was one of the favourite contenders for the trophy. And it was considered the best team in Group C.

But these hopes of Messi fans all over the globe came failed the day when the Argentina team lost to team Saudi Arabia. This was the opening match of Group C. And the match was hosted at the Lusail Stadium on the afternoon of Tuesday. Reports say that the match was played in front of an 88012-strong crowd.

Lionel Messi propelled team Argentina ahead in the first half when he took a 10th-minute lead from the penalty spot with a coolly taken spot kick. But this lead was just for the first half of the match. But two goals at the very beginning of the second half put all of them on the losing side. The outstanding strike from Salem Al-Dawsari changed the game in favour of the Saudis.

Argentina came to the tournament as a favourite and on its way to equalising Italy's record of 37-match unbeaten record but the opening match was a major debacle for the team and Lionel Messi. He is playing his fifth and a lot of people predicted, his last FIFA World Cup.

Argentina came into the game as the overwhelmingly favourite. They were on course to match Italy's record 37-match unbeaten run when they went ahead early on thanks to Messi's penalty, which came about following a VAR check for pushing and shoving in the box.

Saleh Al-Shehri managed to score with a low shot in the 48th minute of the match. Al-Dawsari struck from the edge of the penalty area in the 53rd minute to take their team to the commanding position.

As the second lowest-ranking team in the tournament, they were one of the most unexpected teams to beat the favourites, Argentina in their first clash. This loss has been said to be among the top ten upsets in the history of the FIFA World Cup.

Also Read: Qatar World Cup: Big names missing, but France still look strong at start of title defense

Also Watch: