【MATCH DAY】World Cup 2022: Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia: The greatest FIFA World Cup upsets

Saudi Arabia produced one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history as Salem Al-Dawsari's stunning solo effort secured a 2-1 victory over Argentina in Group C at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. Saleh Al-Shehri (48) and Salem Al-Dawsari (53) complete famous World Cup turnaround win for Saudi Arabia against Argentina; Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot (10) but one of the pre-tournament favourites are beaten at Lusail Iconic Stadium.

Time stood still as Al-Dawsari plucked the ball out from the sky and turned inside two Argentina defenders before curling his finish beyond the reach of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, producing one of the biggest moments of any World Cup finals.

Lionel Messi had given one of the pre-tournament favourites the lead from the penalty spot after a contentious VAR decision (10) but Saleh Al-Shehri levelled just three minutes into the second period to set up an almighty upset.

The result ended Argentina's 36-game unbeaten run, stretching back to defeat against Brazil three years ago but this was the greatest day in Saudi Arabian football history. When Argentina last lost their opening World Cup group game in 1990 - against Cameroon - they went on to reach the final where they lost to Germany, but that will be of little consolation to the South Americans right now following defeat to the nation ranked 51st in world football.

Three times Argentina were then denied by the offside flag in the first half with Messi thwarted on one occasion before Lautaro Martinez twice found the net only to be ruled out by VAR.

The game turned on its head within three minutes of the restart, however, with Al-Shehri capitalising on hesitancy from Cristian Romero to find the bottom corner.

If the Saudis inside the stadium looked on speechless with the rest of the world, they had barely regained their breath when Al-Dawsari brought the ball down inside the Argentina box, danced inside Nahuel Molina and Angel Di Maria and curled a right-foot shot high into the far corner to seal a triumph against all the odds.

Big moments in the game

10 min: Saud Abdulhamid is penalised for pulling Leandro Paredes' shirt inside the box. Lionel Messi dispatches his penalty.

22 min: Messi has the ball in the net, but the offside flag goes up immediately to cut short Argentina celebrations.

27 min: Martinez is slipped clean through on goal and he produces a lovely dink to score but the strike is disallowed by VAR for offside.

35 min: Argentina and Martinez have the ball in the net again, but the flag once again goes up for offside against the Inter forward.

48 min: Saleh Al-Shehri finds a yard of space on Cristian Romero to flash a low shot into the bottom corner.

53 min: Salem Al-Dawsari scores a stunning solo goal to complete the comeback.

Player of the Match - Salem Al Dawsari

Al Dawsari became only the third Saudi Arabian player to score more than once at the World Cup (two goals) along with Sami Al Jaber (3) and Fuad Amin (2).

His two goals have come in different editions (2018 and 2022), with only Al Jaber also scoring in more than one tournament (1994, 1998, 2006).

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