Argentina were stunned by Saudi Arabia as their highly anticipated 2022 World Cup campaign began with a seismic Group A defeat by the 750-1 outsiders.
The Albiceleste, unbeaten in 36 matches over the past three years, went ahead with a ninth-minute penalty from captain Lionel Messi, looking to cap a wonderful career by winning the tournament at the fifth attempt.
But Argentina failed to capitalise on their first-half dominance, having three further goals – one for Messi, two for Lautaro Martinez – ruled out for offside.
They were made to pay in a remarkable opening to the second half as Saudi Arabia first equalised and then
went in front in the space of five sensational minutes.
First Saleh Al-Shehri surged past Christan Romero and clipped a left-foot shot into the far corner before, in the 53rd minute, Salem Al-Dawsari spun round, swerved away from a defender and curled in a brilliant effort from the left-edge of the area into into the top-right corner.
Argentina tried to find a way back into the game but Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Owais made a series of saves from Nicolas Tagliafico, Messi and Julian Alvarez to seal one of the most remarkable results in World Cup history.
Saudi Arabia now have a chance of reaching the last 16 for only the second time as they prepare to face Poland on Saturday, while Argentina must pick themselves up before facing Mexico next on Friday.
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