DOHA: Lionel Messi’s Argentina, (2-time FIFA Football World Cup winner and one of the favorites to win the tournament), was beaten by Saudi Arabia (ranked 51st in the world ranking) 2-1 in Lusail Stadium here on Tuesday (22nd of Nov 2022) in one of the most glaring upsets in the history of the World Cup.

PM Shehbaz Sharif took to the twitter to felicitate Crown Prince of KSA Mohammad Bin Salman on Saudi Arabia’s win over Argentina.: “What a game of football it was!” he held.

According to details Saleh Al-Shehri equalized the goal scored by Messi in the first half from the penalty spot. The second goal struck by Salem Al-Dawsari prevented the Copa America holding Argentina equal the Italy’s record of 37 unbeaten matches.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made five changes for their World Cup Group C opener against Saudi Arabia.

Martinez replaced Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez in the forward line alongside the Skipper Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria. In the midfield Alejandro Gomez replaced Alexis Mac Allister.

Saudi coach Herve Renard decided not to make any changes.

Argentina (4-3-3):
Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Alejandro Gomez; Lionel Messi (Skipper), Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria

Coach: Lionel Scaloni

Saudi Arabia (4-3-3):
Mohammed Al-Owais; Saud Abdulhamid, Hassan Al-Tambakti, Ali Al-Bulayhi, Yasser Al-Shahrani; Mohamed Kanno, Abdulelah Al-Malki, Salman Al-Faraj (Skipper who led the team despite an injury); Salem Al-Dawsari, Firas Al-Brikan, Saleh Al-Shehri

Coach: Herve Renard (FRA)

Referee: Slavko Vincic (SLO)

FIFA Football World Cup (2022) results on Tuesday (22nd of November, 2022):

Group C
Argentina 1 (Messi 10-pen) Saudi Arabia 2 (Al-Shehri 48, Al-Dawsari 53)

Playing later
Group C
Mexico v Poland (1600 GMT)

Group D
Denmark v Tunisia (1300)
France v Australia (1900)

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