On the 22nd (local time), the Group C first match of the 2022 Qatar World Cup between Argentina and Saudi Arabia was held at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. After Argentina lost 1-2, Lionel Messi looked dejected. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] Argentina, considered a strong favorite to win this World Cup, suffered a shocking defeat after being caught off guard by the "dark horse of the Middle East," Saudi Arabia.
On the 22nd, Argentina took the lead with a goal by Lionel Messi in the 10th minute of the first half during the Group C first match of the 2022 Qatar World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, but conceded consecutive goals in the second half and lost 1-2 to Saudi Arabia.
Argentina had maintained an unbeaten streak of 36 matches in A-level international matches since their 0-2 loss to Brazil in the Copa America semifinals in July 2019, but suffered an unexpected blow in their first World Cup finals match, stopping just short of the men's football A-match longest unbeaten record (Italy, 37 matches).
On the 22nd (local time) at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, during the first match of Group C in the 2022 Qatar World Cup between Argentina and Saudi Arabia, Argentina's Lionel Messi sat down on the ground after an attack while trailing 1-2 in the second half. Photo by Yonhap News
Saudi Arabia, which topped Group B in the Asian final qualifiers and succeeded in qualifying for the finals for the second consecutive time, became the protagonist of a major upset by defeating Argentina, the third-ranked favorite in the FIFA rankings, and took the lead in the group.
Argentina, with Lautaro Martinez playing up front and Messi leading the attack with free movement, took the lead just 10 minutes after the start of the match.
After a contest inside the penalty area, a foul on Leandro Paredes by Saud Abdulhamid led the referee to conduct an on-field review, resulting in a penalty kick being awarded.
Messi, stepping up as the kicker, chose the exact opposite direction from Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais and easily scored with a left-footed shot. This was Messi's first goal of the tournament and his seventh goal in World Cup finals history.
Argentina continued their active offense, but in the 22nd minute of the first half, when Messi received a long pass from the back and entered the penalty area to strike with his left foot, the goal was ruled offside.
In the 27th minute, Martinez's chip shot after a quick move was also called offside, and in the 35th minute, Martinez scored an additional goal but was again ruled offside.
Although Saudi Arabia had no shots during the first half, they successfully kept Argentina to one goal and recorded seven offsides, making a strong defensive performance before launching a major counterattack in the second half.
Just three minutes into the second half, Salih Al-Shehri, who started up front, received a pass from Firas Al-Buraikan and scored with a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, leveling the score and signaling the start of the drama. Then, in the 8th minute of the second half, Saleem Al-Dawsari curled a sharp right-footed shot from the left corner of the penalty area past Paredes to score the go-ahead goal.
Messi and Argentina, desperate, tried to counterattack, but Saudi Arabia's defensive organization left no gaps. Ultimately, the match ended in Argentina's defeat.
With one loss, Argentina dropped to the bottom of the group. They now face a situation where they must achieve the best possible results in their remaining matches against Mexico and Poland to have a chance at advancing to the round of 16, placing even more pressure on Messi's shoulders.
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