Qatar is not a popular host for the 2022 World Cup. It will be a tournament with an exceptionally strange legacy once it is over. Yet amid fears of a boring tournament, Saudi Arabia produced a moment that will go down in World Cup history.
On Tuesday morning, the ill-favored Saudi Arabian team, coached by Herve Renard, defeated Argentina.
World Cups often throw up moments that are talked about for a lifetime. Zaire’s attempt to defend a Brazilian free-kick. Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal. ‘Target for Africa’ by Siphiwe Tshabalala. Saudi Arabia’s victory over Argentina and Lionel Messi joins those ranks in wacky World Cup moments.
The 2-1 scoreline was a result that no one saw coming. The ramifications for the rest of the group stage are significant. This result breathed life into Qatar 2022 as a sporting spectacle.
Argentina needs more than Messi
Argentina’s lack of energy was the most disappointing part of the team’s performance at Lusail Stadium. Despite taking an early lead through a Lionel Messi penalty, the Albiceleste looked lethargic.
Of course, they would counter such a claim with the point that they had three goals disallowed in the first 45 minutes.
Renard’s offside trap worked, and the semi-automatic offside detection tool worked perfectly according to the rules. Whether the written rules are applicable in this era of modern football remains a separate debate.
Messi started the game with confidence. He was leading his beloved national team to what will probably be his last World Cup. Gone are the visible signs of stress from four years ago. Messi didn’t seem to have the weight of a nation on his shoulders. He now he had a band of teammates that worked as a unit.
Lionel Scaloni’s men had the tag of pre-tournament favorites due to this unit. After years of having talented players who didn’t make a good team, the South American giants had a reliable group that could win together.
However, after just 45 minutes in Lusail, Messi’s supporting cast called it quits.
Saudi Arabia surprised everyone with a great goal over Argentina
Saudi Arabia’s equalizer came two minutes after the break. Saleh Alshehri went on goal. He put a beautiful shot into the bottom corner of the net.
The goal surprised the South Americans. Saudi Arabia failed to register a shot in the first half of the game. Suddenly, the Saudis were on the rise. Saudi Arabia flew into the challenges, wiping out any Argentina time on the ball. Consequently, the energy of the fans and any momentum from the first half evaporated.
Argentina was on the ropes. After 53 minutes, an unlikely equalizer turned into a World Cup miracle.
Salem Aldawsari carved his name into Saudi folklore with a Goal of the Tournament candidate. He took advantage of a nervous defense from Argentina to get past Emi Martínez.
From there, Argentina had a mountain to climb. All the pressure and anxiety from Russia in 2018 returned. The color of Messi’s face was blushing.
He knew he would have to step up, and was met by a determined Saudi rear line. No one could have predicted how organized the 51st ranked team in the world would be. Defensive headers kept Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez off the scoreboard. Meanwhile, Mohammed Al-Owais made five saves and was in inspired form.
Argentina couldn’t find a breakthrough once the pressure was on. Now, the team faces a difficult step towards the knockout phase.
“We fully respect Saudi Arabia”
Lionel Scaloni knows that now there is no margin for error. Tough matches await him against Mexico and Poland. Results outside of his control could influence the fate of Argentina, as happened in 2018.
The Argentina coach comes under pressure after such a scare. Regardless, he maintained that his team played well and did not take the Saudis lightly.
“We fully respect Saudi Arabia,” he explained in his post-match press conference. “It is a sad day, but as we always say, with our heads held high, we must recover.
“It’s hard to digest. In four, five minutes they scored two goals with two shots”.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Sipa USA
