Argentina started the game well dominating possession and controlling the pace and tempo of the game. The first chance came in as early as the 2nd minute of the game as Di Maria collected the ball on the left flank and squared it to Lautaro Martinez inside the penalty box. The Inter Milan star dropped a shoulder before running into a couple of defenders, with the ball falling in the path of Lionel Messi.
THE ARGENTINE SKIPPER shifted the ball on his favored left foot and curled a shot in the bottom right corner, only to be denied by a brilliant save from the Saudi goalie. Come the 5th minute, Messi took a corner which was punched away by the Saudi shot-stopper. However, Paredes was fouled by Al Bulayahi in the box and after an extensive VAR check, Argentina was awarded a penalty. Lionel Messi stepped up and coolly slotted the ball in the right-hand corner sending the goalie in the other direction.
Argentina Vs Saudi Araba Scorecard
The final score card of the match was 2-1. The first goal of the match was there by the help of Lionel Messi as a penalty kick. But after the first half Saudi Arabia dominated the starting of the second half and scored a lead with 2 goals in less than 8 minutes. After the lead the Saudi Arabian players are able to defend the rest of the match and wins their most historic win against one of the most famous team in FIFA history.
1.Summary of the Match
After opening his account in World Cup 2022, Messi thought he has doubled Argentina’s lead after he was put through clear toward the goal and curled a trademark low finish past the incoming goalkeeper. However, he was just a fraction offside.
In minute 28th, Lautaro Martinez found himself sharing the ill luck of his captain as he latched on to a through ball and put a sumptuous finish past M Al Owais, only to be ruled out offside again. Argentina’s offside curse continued into the 34th minute as Di maria passed the ball to Messi in a central position, who slid in a pass between two central defenders to release Martinez on towards the goal.
2. The Thriller
He rounded the keeper before putting the ball in an empty net. However, the linesman once again ruled offside. After riding their luck for the entirety of the first half, the Saudis came back to make a quick impact in the second half. Al Malki pickpocketed Messi in the midfield, before giving a long pass to Al Buraikan. The No.9 controlled the ball and released Al- Sheheri, who held off Romero and slotted in a deflected shot in the bottom left corner.
Just 5 minutes after an equalizer, the Saudis took the lead. Salem Aldawsari received the ball on the edge of the penalty box and turned past Di Maria, before leaving De Paul in his wake to plant a thunderous strike right into the top left corner.
Alvarez’s effort, deflecting a Tagliafico shot, got out a brilliant save from M Al Owais. Alvarez again got a header toward the goal in the dying minutes of the extra time but failed to generate any power to trouble the goalkeeper. Saudi Arabia managed to hold on to their lead to get a famous win over tournament favorites Argentina. With Poland and Mexico drawing the other game of Group C, Saudi Arabia now sit on top of the group with 3 points with a realistic chance to qualify for the last 16 while Argentina lags behind on 4th with 0. Argentina faces Mexico in their next game while the Saudis take on Poland.
