Copa America champions Argentina have been dealt a huge blow in their Group C opening match against Saudi Arabia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Lionel Scaloni’s team were in unbelievable form heading into the competition, with five wins from their previous five games, scoring nineteen (19) times without conceding.
The star-studded Argentina side suffered a shocking 2-1 loss to the Herve Renard-led side following three disallowed goals in the first 45 minutes.
The Albiceleste made a promising start to the encounter with goalkeeper Al Owais forced to make a reflex save from a Lionel Messi shot – shortly after, the ex-Barcelona man became the seventh oldest Argentine scorer at the World Cup after slotting a penalty into the left corner following a foul on PSG’s Leandro Paredes from a corner kick.
Shortly after, Lautaro Martinez’s two goals were rightly ruled for offside as they looked to put the tie to bed in the first half.
However, Messi and his teammates were made to rue their missed chances as Saudi Arabia’s two goals in five minutes put them ahead and in control of the game.
Lone goals from Saleh Al-shehri and stand-in captain Salem Al-dawsari made the Falcons of Saudi Arabia the first Asian team to defeat Argentina in the World Cup.
The upset made it the first time Argentina lost a World Cup match after scoring first, following a 3-1 loss to West Germany in 1958.
Argentina will face Mexico at the Lusail Stadium in their next group game on Saturday, while Saudi Arabia will take on Robert Lewandowski’s Poland at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
