Saudi Arabia grabbed the headlines on Tuesday after defeating pre-tournament favorites Argentina 2-1.
The Asian side scored two quick goals in the second half, overturning a one-goal deficit at half-time to beat La Albiceleste, who would eventually become one of the biggest World Cup upsets of all time.
Herve Renard inspires his team
Despite the heroics on the pitch, it was Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard who captured the attention after the match on social media.
The 54-year-old’s inspiring halftime speech has gone viral on the internet and will surely go down as one of the World Cup’s most memorable moments.
The Frenchman was a mere spectator from the bench watching Argentina destroy his team’s defense time and time again in the first half.
However, thanks to offside and VAR calls, the Saudis went into half-time just one goal behind despite Argentina having the ball in the back of the net four times.
Halftime was where Renard earned his applause. The head coach delivered an impassioned speech that began with,
“What are we doing here. This is our pressing? Messi in midfield, he has the ball, you stay (hands up) in front of the defense. Don’t you know you have to go and mark him in the middle? Take your phone, you can take a picture with him if you want.”
Renard continued, “Don’t you feel something? Don’t you think we can go back? You are not sorry? Come on guys, this is the World Cup. Give all.”
Team Talk Delivers Results
The speech clearly worked as his side came out with all guns blazing. Saleh Al-Shehri restored parity three minutes after the restart, while Salem Al-Dawsari hit a dazzling right-footed shot five minutes later to turn the game around.
Argentina, shocked by the course of events, barely recovered and gave Renard’s team a memorable victory.
The Frenchman has been in the spotlight for several years before taking over as Saudi Arabia in 2019.
Renard previously coached Zambia and the Ivory Coast to win the Africa Cup of Nations and also helped Morocco qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
It remains to be seen how Saudi Arabia can qualify for the round of 16 after upsetting Lionel Messi and co.
World Cup 2022 Guide
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