Incredible Saudi Arabia comeback: shock debut for Leo Messi’s Argentina

Al-Shehri and Al Dawsari turn Argentina upside down.

Incredible denouement at Lusail Iconic Stadium: Saudi Arabia wins in comeback over Lionel Messi’s Argentina, one of the favorites for the world title.

Initial advantage for the albiceleste with a penalty kick, awarded for a naive holding in the area, converted precisely by the Psg player. It is Argentina that plays the game, but two goals by Lautaro Martinez and one by the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner are nullified for offside and the two national teams go back into the locker room with the score 1-0 for Scaloni’s men.

A shock start to the second half for Argentina, with Saudi Arabia first equalizing in the 48th through Al-Shehri and then unbelievably passing through Al Dawsari five minutes later. Messi and his teammates threw themselves in search of the 2-2 goal but Hervé Renard’s men heroically resisted, even in a recovery that became very long due to a bad knock taken by an Asian player, Al Shahrani.

Saudi Arabia thus momentarily takes the lead in the group, pending the match scheduled at 5 p.m. Italian time between Mexico and Poland.