Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia: Messi's side frustrated by underdog opener comeback

Argentina are frustrated by underdog Saudi Arabia's comeback, Messi hits penalty, three goals from Argentina were disallowed in the first half. Saudia Arabia have ended Argentina's 36-game unbeaten streak in the first game of the World Cup.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

2' CLOSE! Messi's shot denied

9' Penalty Goal! Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia (Messi)

20' CHANCE! Gomez's long shot over the bar

22' OFFSIDE! Messi's goal disallowed

27' OFFSIDE AGAIN! Lautaro's goal disallowed

35' Disallowed! Lautaro scores but the goal is offside again

43' MISS! De Paul shoots over the bar

47' GOAL! Argentina 1-1 Saudi Arabia (Saleh Al-Shehri)

52' GOAL! Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia (Salem Al Dawsari)

63' MISS! Tagliafico's shot denied

66' Yellow Card! Abdulelah Al-Malki booked

72' CHANCE! Di Maria's shot saved

80' CLOSE! Messi's free-kick over the bar

84' MISS! Messi's header saved

91' CLOSE! Al-Amri makes goal-line clearance

Match Report

Saudi Arabia produced one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history as Salem Al-Dawsari's stunning solo effort secured a 2-1 victory over Argentina in Group C at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.

Time stood still as Al-Dawsari plucked the ball out from the sky and turned inside two Argentina defenders before curling his finish beyond the reach of Aston Villa defender Emiliano Martinez, producing one of the biggest moments of any World Cup finals.

Lionel Messi had given one of the pre-tournament favourites the lead from the penalty spot after a contentious VAR decision (10) but Saleh Al-Shehri levelled just three minutes into the second period to set up an almighty upset.

The result ended Argentina's 36-game unbeaten run, stretching back to defeat against Brazil three years ago but this was the greatest day in Saudi Arabian football history.

La Albiceleste last lost their opening World Cup group game in 1990 - against Cameroon - but they went on to reach the final where they lost to Germany but that will be of little consolation to the South Americans right now following defeat to the nation ranked 51st in world football.

Should Argentina have been awarded a penalty?

Sky Sports' Graeme Souness on ITV: "He doesn't know where the ball is. He's only interested in an Argentina player. He doesn't know when it's been kicked and I think that is a penalty for me.

"He's not looking at the ball, the directive from the referees is that's a penalty."

Sky Sports' Roy Keane on ITV: "No, no, no, all this will do is encourage diving. He (Otamendi) is dragging him (Abdulhamid) down."

Souness: "Roy, you're not listening. It's a directive from the referees. This is not about opinions, this is about fact, the guy wasn't looking at the ball.

Keane: "I'm here to give my opinion: that's not a penalty."

Souness: "This is not about our opinions, this is about the laws of the game."

Keane: "I'm here to give my opinion: that's not a penalty."

Souness: "I've heard you say it 10 times, let someone else speak. You'll learn a lot more if you listen. He's not looking at the ball, the directive from the referees is that's a penalty. We have to accept it."

What does the result mean?

Argentina came with the intention of winning this tournament and so beating Saudi Arabia always looked like a box that just needed to be ticked.

The two-time World Cup champions next face Mexico on Saturday, kick-off 7pm, where victory is vital if they are to have any chances now of progressing. Argentina need at least a point to avoid throwing their hopes of progression into serious jeopardy.

Saudi Arabia are back in action against Poland earlier that day, kick-off 10am, and a win would all-but seal their progression to the knock-out stages, and most likely as group winners.

The winners of Group C will face the runner-up from Group D, containing France, Denmark, Tunisia and Australia. The runner-up in Group D will face the winners of Group C.

Line-ups

Argentina XI: Messi, Gomez, Di Maria, Otamendi, E. Martinez, Tagliafico, Paredes, De Paul, Lautaro, Nahuel Molina, Romero

Subs: F. Armani, Gerónimo Rulli, Pezzella, Acuna, Dybala, Correa, G. Rodriguez, Exequiel Palacios, Gonzalo Montiel, Foyth, Mac Allister, Martinez, Thiago Almada, Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández

Saudi Arabia XI: Salman Al Faraj, Yasir Al Shahrani, Salem Al Dawsari, Saleh Al-Shehri, Mohammed Al Owais, Mohammed Kanoo, Ali Albulayhi, Abdulelah Al-Malki, Firas Al-Buraikan, Hassan Tambakti, Saud Abdulhamid

Subs: Nawaf Al-Abed, Hattan Babhir, Abdullah Otayf, Abdullah Madu, Mohammed Al Burayk, Sultan Al-Ghannam, Abdulrahman Al-Oboud, Sami Al-Najei, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Mohammed Al-Yami, Ali Al-Hassan, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Haitham Asiri