- Enter Messi’s World Cup misery!
Indeed, no one saw it coming! The ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday recorded its first major upset as record seven-times Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi led Argentina to lose their 36-game unbeaten streak.
And the ‘magic’ came football minnows, Saudi Arabia as they shocked the South American powerhouse 2-1 in their Group C World Cup opener.
In an encounter where the Argentines took the lead courtesy of an eighth-minute penalty converted by Messi, the South Americans fell to their first defeat in over three years despite having a commanding performance in the first half.
They failed to add that crucial second goal, with the captain and his fellow forwards repeatedly caught out by Saudi Arabia’s high line. Quite unexpectedly, the underdogs then turned the game, and Group C, on its head by scoring with their first two shots on goal in a fantastic five-minute spell at the start of the second half, with Saleh Al-Shehri equalising before Salem Al-Dawsari produced a wonderful solo strike.
Messi tried to rally his side but not even the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner could deny an inspired Saudi Arabia one of the most staggering results in World Cup history.
The two Saudi goals brought to a shocking end La Albiceleste’s 36-game unbeaten run which dates back to 2019 when they lost to Brazil in the Copa America.
Coming as a complete shock to everyone in world football, not only was Argentina’s 36-game unbeaten streak brought to a screeching halt but several unwanted records were equalled as well.
It was the first time since 1958 against Germany that Argentina lost a World Cup match after scoring the first goal, and also the first time since 1930 they have lost a World Cup match when leading at half-time.
Furthermore, it is the first time that the Argentines have lost a game in which Messi has scored since 2009 against Spain.
Going forward, Lionel Scaloni’s men will face Mexico on November 26, where they must strike to amass all three points in order to stand any chance of making it out of the Group.
Importantly, Scaloni now needs back-to-back victories to firmly put behind him one of the most humiliating defeats in Argentina’s football history.
