Saudi Arabia stun Argentina with inspired second-half performance

Within the first huge upset of the 2022 World Cup, Saudi Arabia beat Argentina 2-1.

Saudi Arabia shocked Argentina with two second-half targets to beat one of many pre-tournament favourites of their opening World Cup match on Tuesday, marking the primary upset of the 2022 version of the game’s largest occasion.

All of it appeared to be going to plan for Argentina after their talisman and captain Lionel Messi slotted in a penalty after 10 minutes.

But whereas completely dominating the primary half, Argentina didn’t capitalise on their superior possession and strayed offside seven instances. Additionally they had a Lautaro Martinez purpose dominated out for a marginal offside.

Nonetheless, within the second half, a reinvigorated Saudi staff took the sector with an intent that they’d been beforehand lacking. Saleh al-Shehri opened the scoring within the forty eighth minute after latching onto an extended ball and guiding it by means of Argentinian goalkeeper Damián Martinez’s legs.

If that equaliser surprised Argentina — and its followers who turned quiet — extra was to observe. 5 minutes later, Salem al-Dawsari curled in a magnificence to present Saudi Arabia the lead.

Argentina utilized late strain however a string of high-quality saves from the Saudi keeper, Mohammed al-Owais, stored the scoreline within the favour of the underdogs, who got here out on prime with an historic win.