FIFA World Cup 2022

‘What just happened’- Twitter in disbelief as Lionel Messi-led Argentina are defeated 2-1 by Saudi Arabia in FIFA World Cup 2022

Lionel Messi had started the scoring with a penalty.

Nov 22, 2022 7:42 pm

Argentina vs Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup (Image source: Twitter)

Argentina football team who went to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup with great hopes have been dealt a major blow. Against Saudi Arabia, the Lionel Messi-led side lost 1-2 in a fiery contest between the two World Cup teams.

True to much of the expectations, the Albicelestes took a lead with Messi’s penalty in the 10^th minute. Messi who is arguably the favourite player right now sent the whole stadium into ecstasy after his goal. Although Argentina’s gameplay did not impart much confidence among their fans, they somehow managed to defend their lead going into halftime.

Much of the same was expected in the second half but the Saudi Arabia team walked into the pitch with a massive resurgence and produced a valiant effort that saw them end Argentina’s 36-game winning run.

At the start of the second innings, Saudi levelled the scoring with Saleh Al-Shehri in the 48^th minute to send the opposing stand into cloud nine. This was however not the end of the match as Saudi Arabia scored the winner in the 53^rd minute and took an unexpected lead at the Lusail Stadium with a sensational strike from Salem Aldawsari.

The Saudi Arabia team despite having a 31% possession defended their lead and came out victorious in what is being called one of the biggest upsets of the FIFA World Cup.

With this win, Saudi Arabia have topped Group C whereas Argentina drops down to the bottom. The Messi-led team was expected to ease past their opponents into the Round of 16, but with teams like Mexico and Poland in the group, their campaign looks a little difficult now.

Although many were sad about Argentina’s loss there was a good chunk of the footballing fraternity that enjoyed Saudi Arabia’s win over favourites Argentina.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to Argentina’s 1-2 loss to Saudi Arabia in FIFA World Cup:

One of the biggest shocks in #FIFAWorldCup history

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 22, 2022

ALLAHU AKBAR….what a stunner from salem and a win to Saudi Arabia.. congratulations for ending Argentina's unbeaten run #ARGKSA pic.twitter.com/acQxWalM85

— Ibraheem Affellay (@Ibraheemaffelay) November 22, 2022

Saudi Arabian fans doing the ‘SIUUU’ after they have just beaten Argentina is deff the sweetest thing I’ll see today pic.twitter.com/nTazVspnUf

— UG (@UgwunnaEjikem) November 22, 2022

Picture of the Day. #ARGvsKSA #ARGKSA #FIFAWorldCup #السعوديه_الارجنتين #Argentina pic.twitter.com/JeSIMLyWYa

— Wali Khan (@WaliKhan_TK) November 22, 2022

https://twitter.com/honest_papito/status/1595044694572023808

🎙️ Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni: "We still have two games and we will win both." #ARG | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/FzYc6LMwmd

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 22, 2022

The Emir of Qatar wears the Saudi flag in the match between Saudi Arabia and Argentina

What a great moment ! Bigger than the one on the field! #SaudiArabia #ARGKSA pic.twitter.com/htI6WaFj35

— Arsalan Khan (@arsalantweets1) November 22, 2022

“How did Saudi win against Argentina?”

They got this dude #HerveRenard pic.twitter.com/DqsqciDyJg

— – (@Lymmbo_) November 22, 2022

https://twitter.com/kingashu_786/status/1595054009018376194

Lionel Messi: "There are no excuses. We have to be more united than ever. This group is strong and has shown it. It's a situation we haven't gone through in a long time. Now we have to show that this is a real group." 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/bfw3b4r1v2

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) November 22, 2022

Argentina: We have a 36 matches unbeaten streak, no team can stop us. Lionel Messi is the 🐐

Saudi Arabia: pic.twitter.com/VxKStQ4ttO

— Kojo Darko🇬🇭 (@kojodarkoo) November 22, 2022