The two-time world champion and co-favorite for the title in Qatar was embarrassed at the start of Group C against Saudi Arabia. Argentina had to admit defeat to the blatant outsider – despite being in the lead at half-time – with a score of 2:1! The network reactions to the first big surprise of this World Cup.
Goals: 1-0 – Lionel Messi (penalty, 10th minute) 1-1 – SalehAl-Shehri (48th) 1-2 – SalemAl-Dawsari (53rd)
Lionel Messi gave Argentina a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute. After a VAR note, referee Slavko Vincic awarded a penalty. Abdulhamid Paredes had saved at a corner. Apparently, FIFA’s guidelines for this World Cup are clear: picking jerseys and holding are punished more quickly in the penalty area. Even with England against Iran, the VAR intervened somewhat controversially.
Messi’s goal made the leap into an illustrious round: he is only the fifth player to score in four World Cups. Incidentally, 16 years after his first World Cup goal in 2006.
In the 22nd minute, Messi almost scored his second goal. After a long ball, La Pulga was clear, but was just offside.
Five minutes later, it was Lautaro Martinez who gave the ball a 2-0 lead. The Inter attacker was also just offside – at least according to VAR.
In the 35th minute, Martinez wanted to celebrate again – but this goal was withdrawn. Offside again!
And so it went into halftime with a narrow lead. The Albiceleste were in control for the first 45 minutes as Saudi Arabia kept trying down the flanks but failed to get dangerously in front of Argentina’s goal.
The start of the second round was tough! Saudi Arabia equalized after 48 minutes! Al-Shehri shot from an acute angle into the far corner, Romero’s tackle came too late.
But that’s not all. Just five minutes later, the blatant outsider even took the lead! Romero blocked an attempted shot with his head, which landed at Al-Dawsari, who dropped several defenders and flicked the ball from the left corner of the box into the top corner. Nice goal – and big shock for Argentina.
Argentina tried everything to avert the embarrassment. But Saudi Arabia stayed true to their style and consistently pushed the defensive line far forward. The Albiceleste struggled to create chances.
Tagliafico was about to equalize in the 63rd minute, but Al-Owais prevented the 2-2 with a brilliant act.
In the 84th minute, Messi had another chance to head the ball. However, his attempt at the second post lacked precision and power. Alvarez then had a great chance in the first minute of added time, but Al-Amri cleared the ball off the line. Presumably the goal would not have counted because Otamendi was offside.
In this World Cup game, too, there was a long stoppage time. In this, Al-Shahrani was hit hard with his knee in the face by his own keeper. Referee Slavko Vincic even allowed 14 minutes to be played instead of the eight minutes initially indicated. But it didn’t change anything: Saudi Arabia defended the sensation across the finish line!
This article was originally published on 90min.de as Argentina embarrassment despite Messi lead: Network reactions to Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 win.
