Argentina, one of the favorites of the 2022 World Cup, lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in the first match and made the surprise of the tournament. Argentina, who took the lead with Lionel Messi’s goal, could not maintain its superiority in the remaining parts of the match and suffered a historic shock.
2022 World Cup Group C opening match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia.
Argentina, one of the favorites of the tournament, unexpectedly lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in the match played at Lusail Stadium and the surprise of the tournament happened.
Lionel Messi scored the winning goal for Argentina in the 10th minute from a penalty, while Alshehri in the 48th minute and Al Dawsari in the 53rd minute scored for Saudi Arabia.
After this result, Saudi Arabia increased its score to 3 while Argentina failed to score. In the second week of the group, Saudi Arabia will face Poland while Argentina will play Mexico.
3 GOALS DISALLOWED FOR OFFSIDE
In a game marked by Saudi Arabia’s offside tactics, Lionel Messi’s 22nd minute goal for Argentina was disallowed for offside. Lautaro Martinez’s goal for the Tangoculars in the 27th minute was disallowed for offside after VAR review. In the 35th minute, the offside flag was raised again for Martinez’s goal.
A FIRST SINCE 1930
Argentina’s 36-match unbeaten streak came to an end against Saudi Arabia, losing a World Cup match in which they led at half-time for the first time since 1930 (vs Uruguay).
ARGENTINA CONCEDED TWO GOALS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1974
Argentina were flagged offside seven times in the first half against Saudi Arabia, surpassing their total from their four 2018 World Cup matches in the first 45 minutes.
Argentina also conceded 2+ goals in their first match at a World Cup for the first time since 1974 (2-3 vs Poland).
