A bold and brilliant Saudi Arabia pulled off what is unarguably one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history as they came from behind to beat two-time winners Argentina in a fantastic Group C first game in Lusail.
Saudi Arabia, ranked 51st in the world, could have been done and dusted in the first half as Lionel Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Argentina had three goals disallowed for offside.
But the Green Falcons flipped the game on its head in a stunning 10-minute period after half-time, Saleh Al-Shehri levelling with a low effort and Salem Al Dawsari firing them ahead to spark pandemonium in the stands.
Having shown their ruthlessness at one end, they demonstrated a ruggedness at the other, holding a stellar Argentina front line at bay to secure only their fourth World Cup win and throw the group wide open.
Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina came into the tournament among the favourites, on the back of a 36-game unbeaten run that included winning the 2021 Copa America.
They now have it all to do to keep alive their hopes of a first global triumph since 1986 and give Messi a fitting ending to what is very likely his World Cup swansong.
They face Mexico on Saturday, while Saudi Arabia take on Poland.
