Saudi Arabia kicked off the men’s FIFA World Cup with one of the heaviest victories in the competition’s history, beating Argentina 2-1.
Argentinian star Lionel Messi scored the opening goal of the match, but Saudi Arabia grabbed the three points when Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dasrawi succeeded.
Expert Erkka V. Lehtolan according to Argentina got what they ordered when they went into the break in a 1-0 situation. Saudi Arabia scored their goals in the 48th and 53rd minutes of the match, i.e. in less than six minutes.
– A great fight from Saudi Arabia – a triumph of teamwork and sacrifice. Argentina should have settled the game in the first half. This is one of the heaviest bangs in World Cup history, although these have happened before, Lehtola said in the studio after the match.
The history of the World Cup also knows other matches where the underdog has surprised even the big pre-favorite. For example, in 2002, Senegal defeated defending world champion France 1–0 in the opening match of the Games.
Argentina also has a similar memory from 1990, when Cameroon surprised Diego Maradona starred team. Despite the opening loss, Argentina advanced to silver in those games.
Argentina failed in attack and defense
Before the match, Saudi Arabia was not considered a real throwing bag, Urheilu’s expert reminded Jarkko Wiss. Still, the end result was a shock.
OptaJose says (you switch to another service)that Argentina last lost a World Cup match in 1930, which it led after the first half.
– I have to take my hat off to the midfield duo, Abdulelah Al-Malki–Mohamed Kannowhich became a huge workload and a lot of back and forth, Wiss said.
Sports expert Jonne Kunnas said that Argentina’s attacking play did not work in the match. Saudi Arabia invited the early favorite to play behind their defensive line and Argentina responded by kicking balls out of their backfield. The game tactics of the Saudi Arabians therefore worked.
– Saudi Arabia had two shots on goal and the expected goal (0.1) was low. This match puts a lot of question marks on Argentina’s defensive play.
Argentina’s defense was especially challenged by the fact that the full-backs were wanted to play clearly higher than the rest of the defensive line on the field. How the team defends after losing the ball needs to be figured out with future matches in mind, Kunnas estimates.
He believes Argentina won’t change their game plan significantly, but fine-tuning is needed. From Argentina’s point of view, it can be good that the challenges of playing were revealed already now, Kunnas said.
– In tournament-style football, the one who succeeds in fine-tuning does best. If the shortcomings cannot be corrected now, future opponents will punish them for the mistakes. I still believe that Argentina will continue in their group.
Argentina will still face Mexico and Poland in the first group. The best two from the group advance to the playoffs.
– First of all, although this is a side point, the pursuit of the record streak (38 unbeaten matches) fell in a game that everyone considered a sure win. Secondly, now the pressure will be massive on the necks of all Argentine players, Lehtola said.
“Valuable points for Saudi Arabia”
In extra time of the match, the defender of Saudi Arabia Yasser Al-Shahrani was injured when the goalkeeper who played a great match Mohammed Al-Owais crashed into his teammate’s head with a knee. Fortunately, Al-Shahrani was conscious after the impact and moved both his arms and legs naturally.
The previously given 8-minute extra time was extended to 14 minutes, but Argentina still failed to equalize. According to expert Kunnas, the surprise win will certainly bring confidence to Saudi Arabia.
– Valuable points and certainly even matches to come. However, there are so many challenges in playing that the next place does not come for free. Playing with the ball needs to be improved, especially in slow ball control attacks, Kunnas said.