As Lionel Messi and star-studded Argentina rocked at World Cup
Nowhere to Hide: Lionel Messi hides his face from the reality of Saudi Arabia’s huge upset of Team Argentina at the World Cup
Saudi Arabia star Salem Aldawsari scored a stunner against Argentina at the World Cup to put his side 2-1 in front. The winger curled home an effort from the edge of the box to rock Lionel Messi’s side, who had previously taken the lead through the Paris Saint-Germain star, Jack Otway writes for the Express.
Argentina had taken the lead through Messi in the first half, with the PSG star scoring from the penalty spot after yet another dubious VAR decision. But Saudi bounced back to go 2-1 up, rocking the giants and Messi in the process.
Saleh Al-Shehri drew the underdogs level in the 48th minute, expertly finishing past Emi Martinez to spark wild celebrations in the stands. Al-Dawsari’s goal, however, was a thing of beauty.
The winger cut inside to unleash an unstoppable strike into the top corner, with Martinez getting a hand to it but was unable to keep it out.
It means Saudi has staged a memorable upset that would go down in the World Cup history books.
Argentina has, before this game, gone 36 matches unbeaten.
That’s just one shy of Italy’s record, with Roberto Mancini’s team managing a streak of 37 before losing to Spain in the Nations League this year.
While the Saudis fully deserve their goals, they’ve also been let off the hook, with Argentina seeing two goals disallowed.
Messi had an effort chalked off, with the PSG star just a fraction offside as he put the ball into the net.
BBC commentator Mark Scott reacted to Saudi taking the lead by saying Argentina ‘ looks lost’ in a match, they’re expected to win.
“Argentina has barely been able to get out of their own half in the second period so far,” he said. “They look a little bit lost at the moment.
“The head coach Lionel Scaloni looks completely perplexed. It doesn’t look like he knows what to do.”
And former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison said: “What a finish!
“It is good to play down the right-hand side. It is brilliant defending by Christian Romero initially, but that is a wonderful whipped finish.
“Saudi deserve it in the second half.”
Saudi boss Herve Renard, meanwhile, insisted his side wasn’t there to make up the numbers before the game.
“We didn’t come just to participate; our presence here is not for that,” he said.
“We try to be at the level of the event, and we want the Saudi people to be proud of us.”
