Argentina Suffers Stunning Defeat to Saudi Arabia in World Cup Opener – Watch Highlights

In what may go down in the record books as one of the most unexpected wins in World Cup history, Saudi Arabia pulled off quite the upset on Tuesday, defeating World Cup favourites Argentina 2-1.

Day three of the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicked off on Tuesday at the Lusail Stadium, with two-time World Cup champions Argentina, who ranks 3rd in the world, facing Saudi Arabia, who ranks 51st. The Argentines went into the match on a 36-match winning streak that many were certain would be 37 by the end of the day.

Argentine captain Lionel Messi provided his team with an early goal in the 10th minute of the first half with a well-placed penalty kick. Argentina went on to lose three opportunities to place their team well ahead of the Saudis, first in the 23rd minute with a second goal from Messi chalked off as offside, and two goals from 25-year-old forward Lauturo Martinez in the 30th and 35th minutes ruled the same.

After an unsuccessful performance in the first half, Saudi Arabia’s Green Falcons returned to the game reinvigorated, with Saleh Al-Shehr netting Saudi’s equaliser three minutes into the second half. Five minutes later, Salem Al-Dawsari scored the middle eastern nation’s unexpected second and winning goal in the 53rd minute, sealing Argentina’s crushing Group C opening defeat at 2-1.

Watch the highlights below.