DOHA
\nSaudi Arabia pulled off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history on Tuesday, roaring back to beat Lionel Messi\u2019s Argentina 2-1 and set the tournament in Qatar alight.
\nCopa America champions Argentina came into the match on a 36-match unbeaten streak and appeared to be on their way to a straightforward victory after Messi stroked home an early penalty.Lionel Scaloni\u2019s team could have put the game beyond Saudi Arabia\u2019s reach in the first half but had three goals chalked off for offside.
\nSaudi Arabia, ranked a lowly 51st in the world, equalised early in the second half through Saleh Al-Shehri, silencing the hordes of Argentina fans.But just minutes later the Green Falcons were in front when Salem Al-Dawsari rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner after a delightful piece of trickery.
\nArgentina laid siege to the Saudi goal as the minutes ticked away but Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais proved unbeatable and the final whistle sparked scenes of jubilation. \u201cSometimes all the stars are aligned,\u201d said Saudi\u2019s French coach Herve Renard. \u201cToday all the stars were aligned for us.\u201d
\n\u201cWe made history for football,\u201d he added. \u201cIt will stay forever, this is most important. But we also have to think about looking forward. We still have two difficult games before us.\u201dDefeat is a bitter blow for Argentina, who were one game away from equalling Italy\u2019s all-time record of 37 matches unbeaten.
\nForward Lautaro Martinez said the loss — in what is likely to be the final World Cup of Messi\u2019s glittering career — hurt badly.\u201dIt\u2019s clear we lost the game because of our own mistakes, above all in the second half,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cIn the first half, we should have scored more than a goal. But that\u2019s the World Cup. Now we have to rest and think about what\u2019s ahead. those are two finals now.\u201dThe other match in Group C pits Robert Lewandowski\u2019s Poland against Mexico, with the Barcelona forward still seeking his first World Cup goal.
\nThe prolific Lewandowski is yet to open his account at the finals after failing to score on his one previous appearance, in 2018.Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny believes his teammate will break his duck in Qatar as Poland aim to reach the knockout phase for the first time since 1986.
\n\u201cI think it\u2019s definitely important for him (to score),\u201d Szczesny said. \u201cHe\u2019s very motivated before the World Cup. No one doubts that Robert is one of the best players in the world right now.\u201d- Mbappe the difference -Messi\u2019s PSG teammate, Kylian Mbappe, is already a world champion at the age of 23.
\nThe forward will be licking his lips ahead of France\u2019s Group D match against an Australia side desperately lacking star power.France coach Didier Deschamps is without first-choice midfielders Paul Pogba and N\u2019Golo Kante for the whole tournament while Ballon d\u2019Or winner Karim Benzema has also been ruled out.
\nDeschamps said Benzema\u2019s absence would put Mbappe under even more pressure to deliver.
\n\u201cHe has always had the ability to make the difference and we will need that,\u201d said Deschamps, who led the team to glory in 2018 in Russia.\u201dHe has the ability to be decisive at any moment, unlike many other players.\u201d
\nMbappe will lead a French attack in which veteran Olivier Giroud is expected to feature. Denmark take on Tunisia in the other match in the group, with talisman Christian Eriksen set to complete a remarkable comeback after suffering a cardiac arrest during the European Championship last year.
\nWorld Cup organisers were facing growing questions about whether rainbow-themed hats and t-shirts can be worn in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.The issue arose on Monday when former Wales captain Laura McAllister was confronted by security at her country\u2019s match against the USA and ordered to remove a rainbow-coloured bucket hat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DOHA Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history on Tuesday, roaring back to beat Lionel Messi\u2019s Argentina 2-1 and set the tournament in Qatar alight. Copa America champions Argentina came into the match on a 36-match unbeaten streak and appeared to be on their way to a straightforward victory […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":296838,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-296817","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n