Protected by many as the favourites to win the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup Argentina kicked off their campaign in Group C with a frustrating defeat.
Lionel Messi put the Copa America Champions in the lead from the spot 10 minutes into the match to extend his overall goal tally in the World Cup to seven goals before his second goal was ruled out for offside.
Argentina scored again through Lautaro Martinez’s in the 28th minute but it was again ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
In the second half, Saudi Arabia came with all guns blazing and scored three minutes into the match through Saleh Al-Sheri to make it 1-1.
No sooner had the Herve Renard-coached side equalized than they continued pressing and looking for the winner as they proved to have grown in confidence every time they launched an attack in the Argentinian half.
It was then in the 53rd minute when Salem Al-Dawsari scored the winner after cutting onto his right foot and curling the ball into the far corner to give Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez no chance to stop it from hitting the back of the net.
The result meant Argentina’s 36 games unbeaten run has finally come to end in Qatar and will look to seek redemption when they meet Mexico on Saturday for their second group-stage match.
Saudi Arabia on the hand will aim to increase its chances of advancing to the round of 16 when they face Poland on the same day.
