FiFa World Cup 2022: Saudi Arabia defeat Argentina 2-1 in a historic upset

The Albiceleste began their quest for glory in Qatar at Lusail Stadium, where many had predicted their star captain would lift the trophy on December 18.

But Messi and Co. got off to a nightmare start as Saudi Arabia celebrated the biggest win in their history, with Saleh Al Shehri and Al Dawsari scoring a brilliant double to secure a remarkable 2-1 victory.

The Gulf state had won just three of its last 16 matches on the world stage and looked set for another defeat when Messi converted a penalty in the 10th minute.

The 35-year-old is only the fifth player to score in four World Cups, but it was not his day or that of Argentina, whose 36-game unbeaten run ended abruptly.

Lionel Scaloni's side conceded three goals in the first half that were disallowed for offside, and two Saudi screamers turned the game on its head within eight minutes of the start of the second half.

Al Shehri scored the game's first goal with a beautiful low shot for Herve Renard's side, who took the lead with a goal from Al Dawsari that Messi would be proud of.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Saudia Arabia have ended Argentina&#39;s 36-game unbeaten streak in the first game of the World Cup ❌ <a href="https://t.co/ovq9FBWjtt">pic.twitter.com/ovq9FBWjtt</a></p>&mdash; ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1595026094305992707?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Cheered on by their vociferous support, Saudi Arabia threw everything forward, and goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais' saves ensured a memorable victory.

The crowd of 88,012 at Lusail Stadium made an incredible noise from the start as the well-supported Argentines faced a Saudi team backed by hordes who only had to jump over the line.

They did so more in hope than expectation, and Messi - an ambassador for Saudi tourism- soon dampened their mood.

Messi first failed to hit Al Owais with a shot; then in the 10th minute, he got the better of the goalkeeper after Saud Abdulhamid had held Leandro Paredes in the penalty area.

The Paris St. Germain star stepped up and converted the penalty, sending the ball coolly to his left as Al Owais ran the other way.

In the 22nd minute, Messi again got the better of the Saudi goalkeeper when he opened his body and slid the ball into the net, but the goal was whistled for offside.

Lautaro Martinez was denied two goals for the same reason. The first goal was scored after a nice pass from Alejandro Gomez, and the second was because of an offside position before he beat Al Owais.

Saudi Arabia did not get a shot off in the first half, but the Argentina team struck three minutes into the second period.

Messi was taken out of the game by the Argentines, and Al Shehri played a hopeful ball up top, where he took the ball from Cristian Romero and fired his left foot across Emiliano Martinez and into the net.

The large Saudi contingent was beside themselves, and the volume was turned up in the 53rd minute.

Argentina seemed to have escaped danger when a shot was blocked, and Al Dawsari headed to the edge of the box, only to turn and score with a beautiful shot into the top right corner.

It was an incredible moment that drew a roar - as did every subsequent tackle and excellent reaction from Al Owais, who prevented Nicolas Tagliafico from putting the ball in the net.

The Saudi goalkeeper gave Angel Di Maria no chance, had to clear off the line, and then thwarted Messi's goal as he and his teammates gave their all to upset Argentina.

Abdulelah Al Amri saved on the goal line in stoppage time, unaware that offside had been ruled. The stoppage time was extended when Al Owais bumped his teammate Hatan Bahbri while clearing the ball.

The man of the match saved a header from Julian Alvarez just before the final whistle, causing great jubilation.