Match report
Saudi Arabia Stuns Argentina 2-1 in World Cup Opener
Argentina
1–2
FT
Saudi Arabia
Nov 22, 2022
Saudi Arabia delivered one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history by defeating Argentina 2-1. Lionel Messi scored a penalty for Argentina, but Saleh Al Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari responded with crucial goals to stun the South American giants.
Key Facts
- • Lionel Messi scores for Argentina from the penalty spot in the 10th minute.
- • Saleh Al Shehri levels the score at 48 minutes.
- • Salem Al Dawsari gives Saudi Arabia a surprise lead with a goal in the 53rd minute.
Lineups
Argentina
Formation: 4-4-2
Starting XI
- 23 E. Martínez (G)
- 26 N. Molina (D)
- 13 C. Romero (D)
- 19 N. Otamendi (D)
- 3 N. Tagliafico (D)
- 11 Á. Di María (M)
- 7 R. De Paul (M)
- 5 L. Paredes (M)
- 17 P. Gómez (M)
- 10 L. Messi (F)
- 22 Lautaro Martínez (F)
Substitutes
- 9 J. Álvarez
- 24 E. Fernández
- 25 Lisandro Martínez
- 8 M. Acuña
- 4 G. Montiel
- 2 J. Foyth
- 1 F. Armani
- 18 G. Rodríguez
- 14 E. Palacios
- 16 T. Almada
- 15 Á. Correa
- 6 G. Pezzella
- 20 A. Mac Allister
- 21 P. Dybala
- 12 G. Rulli
Saudi Arabia
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Starting XI
- 21 Mohammed Al Owais (G)
- 12 Saud Abdulhamid (D)
- 17 Hassan Tambakti (D)
- 5 Ali Al Bulayhi (D)
- 13 Yasir Al Shahrani (D)
- 8 Abdulelah Al Malki (M)
- 9 Feras Al Brikan (M)
- 7 Salman Al Faraj (M)
- 23 Mohammed Kanno (M)
- 10 Salem Al Dawsari (M)
- 11 Saleh Al Shehri (F)
Substitutes
- 18 Nawaf Al Abid
- 2 Sultan Al Ghannam
- 4 Abdulelah Al Amri
- 25 Haitham Asiri
- 6 Mohammed Al Burayk
- 16 Sami Al Naji
- 19 Hattan Bahbri
- 1 Mohammed Al Yami
- 3 Abdullah Madu
- 20 Abdulrahman Al Obud
- 14 Abdullah Otayf
- 24 Nasser Al Dawsari
- 22 Nawaf Al Aqidi
- 15 Ali Al Hassan
Timeline
-
8' Argentina Var · Penalty confirmedLeandro Paredes
-
10' Argentina Goal · PenaltyL. Messi
-
29' Argentina Var · Goal cancelledL. Martinez
-
45'+4 Saudi Arabia subst · Substitution 1Off: Salman Al Faraj · On: Nawaf Al Abid
-
48' Saudi Arabia Goal · Normal GoalSaleh Al Shehri · Assist: Feras Al Brikan
-
53' Saudi Arabia Goal · Normal GoalSalem Al Dawsari
-
59' Argentina subst · Substitution 1Off: Papu Gomez · On: J. Álvarez
-
59' Argentina subst · Substitution 2Off: Leandro Paredes · On: E. Fernandez
-
59' Argentina subst · Substitution 3Off: C. Romero · On: Lisandro Martínez
-
67' Saudi Arabia Card · Yellow CardAbdulelah Al Malki
Foul
-
71' Argentina subst · Substitution 4Off: N. Tagliafico · On: M. Acuña
-
75' Saudi Arabia Card · Yellow CardAli Al Bulayhi
Time wasting
-
78' Saudi Arabia subst · Substitution 2Off: Saleh Al Shehri · On: Sultan Al Ghannam
-
79' Saudi Arabia Card · Yellow CardSalem Al Dawsari
Argument
-
82' Saudi Arabia Card · Yellow CardS. Abdulhamid
Foul
-
88' Saudi Arabia Card · Yellow CardNawaf Al Abid
Time wasting
-
88' Saudi Arabia subst · Substitution 3Off: Nawaf Al Abid · On: Abdulelah Al Amri
-
89' Saudi Arabia subst · Substitution 4Off: Feras Al Brikan · On: Haitham Asiri
-
90'+2 Saudi Arabia Card · Yellow CardMohammed Al-Owais
Argument
-
90'+9 Saudi Arabia subst · Substitution 5Off: Yasir Al Shahrani · On: Mohammed Al Burayk
Match Stats
| Stat | Argentina | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 7 | 21 |
| Pass Accuracy | 85% | 68% |
| Offsides | 10 | 1 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 15 | 3 |
| Corners | 9 | 2 |
| Total Passes | 596 | 266 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 6 |
| Blocked Shots | 3 | 1 |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 2 |
| Shots off Target | 6 | 0 |
| Possession | 69% | 31% |
| Accurate Passes | 508 | 181 |
| Shots Inside Box | 11 | 3 |
| Saves | 0 | 5 |
| Shots Outside Box | 4 | 0 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ Despite taking an early lead through Lionel Messi's penalty, Argentina struggled to maintain their advantage and saw Saleh Al Shehri equalize just before halftime.
- ▸ Salem Al Dawsari sealed the upset with a goal in the 53rd minute, giving Saudi Arabia a remarkable victory over one of football's most prestigious teams.