Twitter users have reacted to one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history on Tuesday, 22 November, 2022.
Saudi Arabia defeat Argentina 2-1, all thanks to a scintillating second-half comeback.
Argentina had arrived as heavy odds-on favourites to extend an unbeaten run of 36 matches, a sequence that began in November 2019 and had seen them win in a Copa America and inauguralFinalissima in the intervening years, and all seemed as if it would go to plan.
It looked easy for them in those opening 10 minutes, with Messi having his first shot after less than 100 seconds (he should have scored) and converting from the penalty spot when VAR deemed that Leandro Paredes had been wrestled to the floor.
On his fifth and final quest for the only major trophy to elude him, the 35-year-old Messi scored a 10th-minute penalty in a dominant first-half display where he and Lautaro Martinez also had three goals disallowed for offside.
But Saudi Arabia, the second-lowest ranked team in the tournament after Ghana, threw caution to the wind at the start of the second half, charging at Argentina’s defence in front of a frenzied 88,012 crowd.
Saleh Al-Shehri squeezed in a low shot in the 48th minute while Salem Al-Dawsari curled in a scorching strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 53rd minute to leave Argentina and Messi looking utterly shell-shocked in the Group C opener.
Despite plenty of possession after that, Argentina were unable to best Saudi Arabia, who were competing in their sixth World Cup but had never previously won an opening game.
The historic defeat has caused an uproar on social media with many shocked by the outcome of the game.
A tweep, Soug said: “This has to be greatest upset ever in fifa football history !!! Mighty Argentina defeated by Saudi Arabia 2-1 ! There 3rd win ever in world cup.
“Argentina 35 games undefeated record broken !! Hope Messi come back strong ! ARGKSA Argentina ARGvsKSA FIFAWorldCup2022”
@RahulWinsNema said: “How is this possible , how can #SaudiArabia WIN Me who supported #Argentina 😭😭😭 Messi NO ! NO! NO😭😭 #ARGKSA #ARGvsKSA #FIFAWorldCup2022 argsau” while @SweetIsrael_ lauded Saudi Arabia goalkeeper for his performance.
He said: “Saudi Arabia keeper Mohammed Al-Owais is what Iran and Qatar needs. Solid performance against The GOAT Lionel Messi worthy of the man of the match. ARGvsKSA #ARGKSA #FIFAWorldCup”
Another tweep, Mauz Chaudhary wrote: “One of the biggest Upset in Football World Cup History.
Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 beat Argentina 🇦🇷 by 2-1 in the first match in #FIFAWorldCup
What a performance by the Falcons really appreciated👏Congratulations to Saudi Football Team & People ARGvsKSA #FIFAWorldCup2022″
“Saudi Arabia executed their game plan to perfection, especially in the second half. Argentina regret those offside goals. They were left to passing it to Di María and crossing into the penalty area or trying to break the Saudi line. 🇦🇷,” @RoyNemer reacted.
@Hendrix_2ro also weighed in: “each and every single one of them was hiding from the ball today while they forced it to Di Maria and hope for some miracle.
“Scaloni have to take the biggest blame tho, horrible in game management. No counter to Saudi’s high line and wrong formation/XI to start as well.”
Usama ki memes tweeted: “Messi is the GOAT but not Greatest Of All Time ARGvsKSA #ARGKSA #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022”
@Aizaz_Mir5 also tweeted: “Argentina vs Saudi Arabia Congratulation KSA, The Team of Game Changers…! ARGvsKSA #ARGKSA #FIFAWorldCup #السعوديه_الارجنتين”