In stunning World Cup upset, Saudi Arabia beats Messi's Argentina

While Argentina predictably took the lead through a Lionel Messi penalty, Al-Sheri's angled drive and Dawasari's individual brilliance flipped the script and left the soccer giants scratching their heads in disbelief
Associated Press|
Messi's quest to win the one major title to elude him got off to a shocking start and brought back memories of Cameroon's 1-0 win over an Argentina team led by Diego Maradona in the opening game of the 1990 World Cup.
  • Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter

  • Goals by Saleh Alshehri and Salem Aldawsari in a five-minute span in the second half gave the Saudis the win. Argentina took an early lead with a 10th-minute penalty by Messi.
    3 View gallery
    Saudi team celebrates win
    Saudi team celebrates win
    Saudi team celebrates win
    (Photo: Reuters)
    The Argentina loss rivals other World Cup upsets like Senegal's 1-0 win over titleholder France 1-0 in the 2002 tournament opener and the United States beating England by the same score in 1950.
    Argentina's 36-match unbeaten run ended at the Lusail Stadium in Messi's fifth ”and likely last” World Cup.
    3 View gallery
    אוהדי נבחרת סעודיה חוגגים
    אוהדי נבחרת סעודיה חוגגים
    Saudi fans celebrate
    (Photo: AP)
    The Paris Saint-Germain star shook hands with a Saudi coaching staff member after the final whistle and stood with his hands on his hips near the center circle, an all-too familiar scene for one of the best players ever who is yet to win the biggest prize in soccer.
    The unlikely victory was sealed by a somersault by Aldawsari, who brought down a high ball just inside the penalty area, turned one defender, jinked past another and drove a powerful shot past goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who got a hand on the ball but couldn' keep out of the net in the 53rd.
    3 View gallery
    Argentina players after the defeat
    Argentina players after the defeat
    Argentina players after the defeat
    (Photo: Reuters)
    A stunned Messi watched as scores of green-clad fans from Saudi Arabia, Qatar's neighbor, celebrated in in disbelief in the stands. Saudi Arabia's substitutes stormed the field.
    Messi put Argentina ahead from the penalty spot after the video assistant referee told the referee to take a look at a jersey grab by Saud Abdulhamid on Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes.
    With Saudi Arabia's first shot in goal, Saleh Alshehri found the bottom corner with an angled finish through the legs of defender Cristian Romero.
    Comments
    The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
    ""