Sensational Saudis leave Messi and Argentina with familiar sinking. Saudi Arabia was living the dream; after eight insane, frantic minutes in the second half of their inaugural World Cup game in Qatar on Tuesday, they had defeated great Argentina, headed by the mesmerizing Lionel Messi, 2-1.
The goal that gave them the lead and ultimately determined the outcome was deserving of winning any game.
Salem Al Daswari appeared to have no chance when a high ball was delivered to him as he was facing the goal from the left. After that, he spun the roulette wheel, moving further away and leaving the goal to his right.
Al Daswari quickly made a turn, eliminating two Argentinian defenders from the situation. His right foot begged for a shot, but some Argentinian bodies were still in the way. Al Daswari moved away from Rodrigo De Paul with a touch before launching a rocket past a diving, helpless Leandro Paredes that grazed Emilio Martinez’s fingertips before tucking into the far corner.
Sensational Saudis leave Messi and Argentina with familiar sinking
Al Daswari reeled away in ecstasy and astonishment at the same time. The majority of the 88,000-person crowd at the Lusail Stadium was made up of Saudi fans who had crossed the border into Qatar and were roaring.
Argentina seemed in ruins. This was not how the game was supposed to end for them; it was likely something they had never considered.
After all, Argentina enjoyed a 36-match winning streak prior to the World Cup. The fifth World Cup for Messi was meant to be his apex. Instead, it appears that the spirits of Russia are still following them.
After that, they drew 1-1 with Iceland, when Messi missed a penalty, before losing 3-0 to Croatia. After defeating Nigeria, they advanced to the round of 16, where they were eliminated by eventual champions France.
Argentina had never before suffered a World Cup defeat to an Asian nation. After Cameroon in 1990, Herve Renard’s Saudis are the only non-European team to defeat the Albiceleste. Their success was so astounding Renard was at a loss for words.
Frenchman said, “Congratulations to these amazing players.” Renard is reportedly still processing the outcome, which will likely go down as one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
“The universe was in our favor. They are the South American champs and arrived here without dropping a single game. Messi is an outstanding player for them. But given that this is football, anything is possible.
“We created history for Saudi Arabia, but we still have crucial games ahead against Mexico and Poland in Group ‘C. Even if you win the opening match, you may still not advance from the group. Even if you lose the first game, you can still win the championship.
Argentina would likely be wishing for it right now. On the eve of the game, Messi had mentioned that the World Cup finals in Qatar might be his final opportunity to win the trophy and achieve the same immortality in his native Argentina as the famous Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to their last World Cup victory in 1986.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni expressed his disappointment, saying, “We have to keep our heads up and recover swiftly. We controlled the first half and had scores disallowed for offside. Things might have gone differently if we had those aims and a larger advantage. The athletes are suffering and considering how to make things better.
Together with his fierce rival Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi is arguably the biggest draw at the 2018 World Cup, and in only the second minute, he nearly ignited the competition. He missed the far corner with one of his signature shots because it was too close to Saudi Arabia’s goalie Mohammed Al Owais.
