This game started with the Argentinian side dominating not too much surprise and then soon they got given a chance to score as from a Messi corner Al Bulayahi brings down Paredes in the box which made the ref look at the var monitor and he eventually gave a pen. Messi coolly slotted it away which made people think it was going to be a battering and it was made to look like that as it was almost 2-0 but luckily to var it was offside from Lautaro Martinez.
After than went in the Saudi side did play a bit better and started to come into their own in the game but they couldn’t seem to find the right pass in the final third, but their counter attacks were working well and was causing a problem for their opponents, but they couldn’t take them chances which was given to them.
Half time and it was a good game, but the Argentinian side have controlled the game but near the end the Saudi side were looking to get back into it, so this second half was made to be an all timer. Second half kicks off and straight away the Saudi side were showing some fight and soon to peoples shock they drew level as Al Shehri equalized after going round Romero then slotting it past the diving Martinez in the bottom corner game on and who could’ve predicted this before the game.
This game started to look even as both teams were looking for the second goal which could potentially give them a good chance of winning the game. Then to more shock the Saudi side scored again to send the stadium into eruption as Al Dawsari uses his quick feet to cut inside onto his right foot to curl an absolute scorcher into the far corner Martinex could only get a fingertip to it 2-1 and the upset was on. The Argentinian side came close to finding an equalizer, but Al Owais made an incredible save from Lautaro Martinez.
Argentina were doing their best to find an equalizer but their opponents were standing strong and dealing with the. The way the Saudi side were defending was exceptional as they were throwing their bodies on the line to win, they may have lost their discipline a bit, but they managed to defend well and to stop their opponents’ creating chances that were punishable. Al Owais was having such an amazing game as he was saving everything and stopping Argentina from getting an equalizer as well as the defence, he had in front of him who were stopping everything and were like a brick wall.
In the end they managed to hold on and pull off such an amazing win which came to most people’s shock, but it goes to show you need teamwork and hard work to win games not just quality and that games shows it as barely anyone gave them a sniff and to pull off such a massive win on the big stage is a huge achievement for them and their fans Aswell as their country who will be cheering up and down . This will go down as one of the biggest upsets in world cup history and it’s an embarrassing result for Argentina who will hopefully get better as the tournament goes on.
Man of the Match: Al Owais
It was a stellar performance from him as he played the game of his life against one of the best international teams in the world and Copa America winners. The whole game he was playing like it was his last game and it showed in the stats as he made 10 saves and made 10 recoveries which is so good especially since he was coming up against some of the best players to play the game in Messi and di maria and young talent in Martinez so it was surprising that he managed to keep most of them at bay the whole game and he was the shining light throughout for the Saudi side.
Flop of the match: Angel Di Maria
It was a game to forget for the experienced winger as he barely did anything to contribute for his side and only completing 2 dribbles in 90 minutes is not something he should be doing especially for someone like him who has been playing at the top for ages. That’s why Argentina weren’t able to create many good chances as he was not playing great and was offside 3 times the whole game it was a shocking performance from him and hopefully, he will perform better soon considering this will probably be his last world cup he will compete in.
The stats are highly favoured in Argentina’s way, but they were not clinical enough to win the game. Saudia Arabia may have not had more shots and possession but when they did have them, they made use of it, and it shows as they won the game when taking their chances which their opponents failed to do which let them down today and costed them the result as it was a terrible performance from them, and they will hopefully do better in the next game.
Luke's Football blog 