VIDEO: The End of the Argentina-Saudi Arabia Match Was Unexpected

The Saudi Arabian national team, participating in the World Cup for the sixth time, achieved a sensational victory over the America’s Cup holders, the Argentina national team. In the first round of the group stage of the World Cup, the Saudi team secured a comeback victory with a score of 2:1 in front of 88,000 spectators.

The scoring opened in the 10th minute with a penalty from Lionel Messi, the 35-year-old forward of France’s champions PSG, who is participating in his fifth World Cup. During the first half, three goals by the Argentinians were disallowed due to offside; only in one instance was the VAR system applied. Lautaro Martinez, a 25-year-old forward from Inter Milan, scored twice, while Messi scored once.

After trailing 0:1 at halftime, the Saudi Arabian team, under the guidance of French head coach Hervé Renard, scored two quick goals in the early minutes of the second half. Saleh Al Shehri, a 29-year-old forward from Al Hilal, found the net in the 48th minute, followed by Salem Al Dawsari, a 31-year-old midfielder from Al Hilal, scoring in the 53rd minute.

In the other match of Group C, Mexico will compete against Poland, which will kick off at 20:00 Yerevan time.

World Cup 2022, Group C, First Round: Argentina - Saudi Arabia 1:2
Lionel Messi, 10' (penalty), Saleh Al Shehri, 48', Salem Al Dawsari, 53'