Match Report: Argentina 1 – 2 Saudi Arabia – Copa America champions suffer shocking defeat in Group C opener

Saudi Arabia have shockingly beaten Copa America Champions, Argentina in a Group C opener of the World Cup.

Lionel Messi converted a penalty in the 10th minute to put Argentina 1-0 ahead in the Group C match against Saudi Arabia. It remained the difference between the two sides at half-time. Argentina had three more goals, one from Messi and two from Martinez, all of which was disallowed for offside.

The team also managed just one more shot at goal since Messi’s strike.

After first two days of Group A and B, it was time for some Group C action and none other than the Lionel Messi-led Argentina side kick off the proceedings against Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

It’s a true World Cup shock that will go down in the annals of time.

No one before kickoff – unless maybe you were wearing Saudi Arabia’s green – would have predicted this.

The Green Falcons will have their keeper Al-Owais to thank who caught almost everything that came his way in this match following the goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Aldawsari.

Argentina were clear favourites before the match. Saudi Arabia were poor in the first half, but they appeared to be a different team in the second half and could be on course for a huge upset.

They fought with the team’s spirit to break Argentina’s 36-match unbeaten run.

The Copa America champions will have to go all out and beat Mexico on Saturday to keep their hopes alive.