DOHA —
Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history on
Tuesday, roaring back to beat Lionel Messi’s Argentina 2–1 and set the
tournament in Qatar alight.
اضافة اعلان
Copa America
champions Argentina came into the match on a 36-match unbeaten streak and
appeared to be on their way to a straightforward victory after Messi stroked
home an early penalty.
Lionel Scaloni’s
team could have put the game beyond Saudi Arabia’s reach in the first half but
had three goals chalked off for offside.
Saudi Arabia,
ranked a lowly 51st in the world, equalized early in the second half through
Saleh Al-Shehri, silencing the hordes of Argentina fans.
But just minutes
later the Green Falcons were in front when Salem Al-Dawsari rifled an
unstoppable shot into the top corner after a delightful piece of trickery.
Argentina laid
siege to the Saudi goal as the minutes ticked away but Saudi goalkeeper
Mohammed Al-Owais proved unbeatable and the final whistle sparked scenes of
jubilation.
“Sometimes all
the stars are aligned,” said Saudi’s French coach Herve Renard. “Today all the
stars were aligned for us.”
“We made history
for football,” he added. “It will stay forever, this is most important. But we
also have to think about looking forward. We still have two difficult games
before us.”
Defeat is a
bitter blow for Argentina, who were one game away from equaling Italy’s
all-time record of 37 matches unbeaten.
Forward Lautaro
Martinez said the loss — in what is likely to be the final World Cup of Messi’s
glittering career — hurt badly.
“It’s clear we
lost the game because of our own mistakes, above all in the second half,” he
said.
“In the first
half, we should have scored more than a goal. But that’s the World Cup. Now we
have to rest and think about what’s ahead. Those are two finals now.”
The other match
in Group C pits
Robert Lewandowski’s Poland against Mexico, with the Barcelona
forward still seeking his first World Cup goal.
The prolific Lewandowski
is yet to open his account at the finals after failing to score on his one
previous appearance, in 2018.
Goalkeeper
Wojciech Szczesny believes his teammate will break his duck in Qatar as Poland
aim to reach the knockout phase for the first time since 1986.
“I think it’s definitely
important for him (to score),” Szczesny said. “He’s very motivated before the
World Cup. No one doubts that Robert is one of the best players in the world
right now.”
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