A legendary soccer team that had a number of wealthy players and perhaps the game’s finest player ever was demolished by the most improbable of opponents.
Argentina, which is ranked third globally by FIFA, fell to Saudi Arabia, which is placed 51st, 2-1 in a thrilling game on Tuesday at the World Cup in Qatar.
After 10 minutes, Argentina took the lead on a penalty kick thanks to record-breaking icon Lionel Messi, who previously played for Barcelona and is currently with Paris Saint-Germain. Messi has been named the world’s best player seven times.
But in the ten minutes following the break, goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari reversed Argentina’s advantage, and the Saudis held on to complete one of the biggest World Cup upsets since the competition’s inception in 1930.
Argentina have not lost in 36 games; the previous opponent to defeat them was fellow soccer powerhouse Brazil in 2019. Only Ghana was ranked lower than Saudi Arabia in this World Cup.
Despite the numerous controversies the tournament has sparked, the significance of the result in the first World Cup to be held in an Arab country will be felt throughout the region. After the game, thousands of Saudi supporters were captured on social media singing, dancing, and beating drums in the sunshine of Doha.
The latter goal was executed with exceptional skill. After deftly controlling a stray ball, Al-Dawsari turned inside to confound two Argentina defenders while facing away from goal, sidestepped a third, and fired a rocket of a shot into the far corner, setting off a frenzied celebration from the army of green-clad Saudi fans.
The Green Falcons, a squad that is almost unknown outside of their native country except to the most ardent soccer fans, not only defeated the South Americans but completely outplayed them as well.
Defender Abdulelah Al-Amri was on the goal line to head out an otherwise certain goal, while goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais was controlling in the air and appeared confident.
The defeat increases the likelihood that Messi, one of the most famous figures in sports who is almost probably participating in his final World Cup, would finish his career without taking home the coveted trophy, one of the few accomplishments he has yet to do.
With this accomplishment, he joins Brazilian great Pele and Cristiano Ronaldo as the fifth player to score in four World Cups. But if his club is unable to get past the first round, that may be of little comfort.
Argentina’s loss reminded them of their 1-0 loss to a determined Cameroon in the 1990 World Cup in Italy, when they were captained by another legendary megastar, Diego Maradona.
The outcome was reminiscent of Senegal’s 1-0 World Cup victory over France in 2002, who were the reigning champions at the time.
But given Saudi Arabia’s victory over such a formidable opponent and the enormous difference in stature and standing between the two, this might be the biggest World Cup surprise yet.
