Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari celebrates after scoring his aspect’s second objective in opposition to Argentina through the FIFA World Cup on the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar. AP
Doha: Saudi Arabia surprised Lionel Messi’s Argentina on Tuesday, beating the two-time winners 2-1 in one of many greatest upsets in World Cup historical past.
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Salem Al-Dawsari hit a surprising winner to sink the red-hot favourites, bringing the South American aspect’s 36-match unbeaten run to a shuddering halt.
The win was absolutely deserved after Saudi Arabia got here from behind after Saleh Al-Shehri cancelled out an early Lionel Messi penalty.
Enjoying a dangerous excessive line of defense, the athletic Saudis rode their luck within the first half when 3 times Argentina had the ball within the internet solely to be denied by an offside name.
However in a chaotic begin to the second half, the Saudis swarmed throughout Lionel Scaloni’s crew and scored twice because the Arab nation beat the South People for the primary time in 5 makes an attempt.
In a primary half dominated by Argentina, it appeared solely a matter of time earlier than Saudi Arabia’s dangerous defensive ways would value them.
That condensed the sport right into a sliver of inexperienced turf across the midway line because the Asian aspect fortunately allowed Argentina’s again 4 to go the ball amongst themselves.
It appeared Saudi Arabia had been going through an extended afternoon after VAR intervened to award a penalty when Saud Abdulhamid wrestled Leandro Paredes to the bottom within the field at a nook.
Messi waited for goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais to dive to his left earlier than cooly rolling the ball into the alternative nook.
But when the Saudis felt aggrieved on the expertise, it might later assist maintain them within the recreation.
Thrice Argentina had the ball within the internet solely to be denied by razor-tight offside calls, the primary given by VAR.
One of many greatest upset ever in World Cup historical past as Saudi Arabia defeat Messi’s Argentina 2-1. Jogs my memory of Italia 90 when within the opener, Cameroon defeated Argentina 1-0….and Maradona’s Argentina went on to make the ultimate. pic.twitter.com/g1GcBks34B
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) November 22, 2022
There was no controversy in regards to the equaliser three minutes into the second half, although, as Al-Shehri ran onto a contact from Feras Al-Brikan, beat Cristian Romero on the skin and slotted the ball again throughout goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and into the far nook.
The sizeable Saudi contingent within the Lusail stadium — the place the World Cup closing might be held — exploded in pleasure.
All of a sudden the Argentines had been rattled and 5 minutes later the turnaround was full.
Al-Dawsari’s intelligent flip within the field beat two defenders earlier than he shifted the ball previous a 3rd and rifled an unstoppable shot into the highest far nook.
The gang was going wild and Hassan Al-Tambakti punched the air in delight after his determined sliding deal with denied Messi a transparent shot at objective.
Each Al-Owais save, together with a point-blank block from Nicolas Tagliafico’s close-range prod, was greeted with rapturous cheers.
There was late drama after Al-Owais collided with Yasser Al-Shahrani and appeared to knock him out as his knee struck the defender’s head.
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