The devastating 2-1 loss of Lionel Messi and Argentina to Saudi Arabia at the World Cup ranks among the biggest upsets in tournament history.
Messi’s desire for the one major championship that has eluded him got off to a shocking start, reminding people of Cameroon’s 1-0 victory over Diego Maradona’s Argentina in the 1990 World Cup opening game.
Messi, who helped give Argentina the lead before the Saudis rallied for a 2-1 victory, is likely to play in his final World Cup.
Goals by Saleh Alshehri and Salem Aldawsari in a five-minute span in the second half gave the Saudis the win. Argentina took an early lead with a 10th-minute penalty by Messi.
The Argentina defeat stands up there with other shocking World Cup results like Senegal’s 1-0 victory over defending champion France in the tournament’s opening match in 2002 and the United States’ 1-0 victory over England in 1950.
At the Lusail Stadium during Messi’s fifth World Cup, Argentina’s 36-game unbeaten run came to an end.
After the final whistle, the world’s best player shook hands with a Saudi coaching staff member and stood with his hands on his hips near the centre circle, a scene that was all too familiar for one of the greatest players in soccer history who has yet to win the sport’s top honour.
Saudi Arabia had won only three games previously at the World Cup, and only one in the last 28 years before today’s shocker over the two-time champions.