It should be the greatest win for the Green Falcons in FIFA World Cups and one of the most stunning results in the history of the tournament.

Sports Desk:

Pre-tournament favourites Argentina conceded a shock defeat against a spirited Saudi Arabia unit in a Group C encounter at the Lusail Stadium. 1-0 up at halftime, Argentina conceded two in the second half and could not find the net despite getting tantalisingly close a few times.

After remaining unbeaten for as long as 36 international games, Messi-led team has succumbed to an unlikely defeat by 2-1.

A true World Cup shock that will go down in the annals of time! No one before kick-off, unless maybe you were wearing Saudi Arabia’s green, would have suspected this.

The Green Falcons will have their keeper Al-Owais to thank who caught almost everything that came his way in this match. What a result!

Lionel Messi became the first Argentinian to score in four World Cups and his strike in the 10th minute kept Argentina ahead in the first 45 minutes. Argentina beat Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammad Al-Owais thrice in the first half but each time they fell into the offside trap set by the opponents.

Saleh Al-Shehri leveled the score just three minutes into the second half. It was Saudi Arabia’s first shot on target in the match. Soon they turned the game around as Salem Al-Dawsari put Saudi Arabia 2-1 ahead in the 53rd minute.

He collected the ball, cut it, dribbled past two, and curled it high and well past Emiliano Martinez to put Saudi Arabia 2-1 ahead in the match.

Argentina got another chance to salvage a draw in the injury time but brilliant goalkeeping and defending denied Argentina.

5:16 pm

Saleh Al-Shehri levels the score.

It was Saudi Arabia’s first shot on target in the match. And they have made it count.

4:52 pm

Lionel Messi’s early penalty is the difference at the break.

There should have been three more goals, all of which were disallowed due to offside – two of them very tight calls. Argentina also struggled to find a shot of target since that goal.

Saudi Arabia will be happy to keep the score so close, however. They are still in this game.

Scaloni can’t be too annoyed at how this Group C opener is going in terms of the flow of the game but can’t be happy with his team failing to beat the offside trap so often.

Renard will almost certainly be happier as his team are only one goal away from a massive result.

They need to get more numbers up near Argentina’s box in the second half though, as the longer they stay in their territory the more dangerous it becomes.

4:11 pm

Lionel Messi scored from a penalty to take the lead against Saudi Arabia 10 minutes into the game.

This is Messi’s 92nd goal in Argentina colours. There was hardly any pace on the ball but he was just waiting for the goalkeeper to move. It is as easy as you like for Leo.

There were some pushing and shoving and the referee had a look at the monitor to call it a penalty.

Every time an Argentine player touches the ball, huge boos ring in the stadium and deafening jubilation when the Saudi players foul an Al Beiceleste star.

However, they seem to have quieted down after that successful Messi penalty. The enthusiasm of both sets of fans inside the stadium is unbelievable.

Each of Lionel Messi’s last four World Cup goals has come in the first half of games, with his first three coming in the second half. It bodes well for Argentina.