The Saudi national team achieved a historic victory by overcoming their Argentine counterpart with a score of 2-1 in the opening match of both teams in Group C of the Qatar World Cup, which takes place from November 20 to December 18. Despite Argentina taking the lead in the first half and having three goals disallowed for offside, Saleh Al-Shehri managed to equalize at the beginning of the second half, before Salem Al-Dawsari added the second goal brilliantly into the net of Argentina's goalkeeper, Martinez.
This victory is Saudi Arabia's first opening match win in their sixth World Cup appearance, as the team had never won their first match before. Additionally, Saudi Arabia became the first Asian team to score more than one goal against Argentina in World Cup history; neither Messi, Maradona, nor Batistuta's Argentina had ever conceded two goals to a team from the Asian continent.
Saudi Arabia has further emphasized Messi's difficulties, as this marks the second time he has faced the Saudi team, previously drawing in 2012 with no goals before today's defeat. Argentine star Lionel Messi, who is heavily relied upon for the 2022 World Cup, has only played one match against Saudi Arabia, a friendly in 2012, which ended in a 0-0 draw, before today’s loss.
The Mexican and Polish teams will meet in the same group later today. The Saudi national team managed to advance from the group stage only once in its history, in 1994, and the green team aims to replicate that achievement.
