We're not sure many would have predicted that Argentina vs Saudi Arabia would be the game of the tournament so far, but it was an absolute spectacle as Saudi Arabia defied the odds to beat Argentina 2-1 in their opening match of the 2022 World Cup.
It's being touted by most as the biggest upset in World Cup history.
Saudi Arabia shock World Cup favourites Argentina
Despite an early onslaught from Argentina, Saudi Arabia stayed in the game and produced a physically impressive performance to deny Lionel Messi's side a nerve-settling opener to their 2022 campaign. They defended well as a team, getting bodies behind the ball, breaking Argentina's flow, along with their 36 match unbeaten streak
This result will go down in history as one of the greatest ever World Cup upsets, with Saudi Arabia currently sitting 51st on the world rankings, to Argentina's third
Argentina put the ball in the back of the net four times in the first half, with three goals being ruled out for offside. An Argentinian second half demolition looked imminent, the South Americans dominating the chances in the first half and leading 1-0. However, what ensued was nothing short of remarkable.
Just 3 minutes into the second-half, Saudi Arabia scored an equaliser through Saleh Alshehri as he slotted the ball into the bottom right-hand corner, beating goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez comfortably.
5 minutes later, Salem Aldawsari scored a sublime goal from the edge of the box to edge Saudi Arabia in front, much to the delight of the local fans who made the short trip acorss the Saudi-Qatar border.
READ HERE: The Arabic Commentary For The Saudi Arabia Winner Was Suitably Bananas
Saudi Arabian fans hit back at Roy Keane following his prediction
Roy Keane was the most surprised person in the building, especially given his emphatic predictions earlier on in the week. The Cork man appeared in a Sky Sports World Cup predictions segment alongside Micah Richards and Gary Neville days ago and issued a very funny and rather damning verdict on Saudi Arabia's chances at this World Cup.
Gary Neville makes the point that Saudi Arabian fans will travel in their thousands to support their team in Qatar due to their shared border:
'They'll bring tens and tens of thousands of fans because they can drive over the border"
To which, Roy Keane dismissed their chances of qualification in just 6 words, sending his fellow pundits into fits of laughter
'And can they play for them'
Keane was more surprised than anyone following this morning's result, and has thus come under fire from Saudi Arabian fans who now relish in their achievement.
Roy Keane was making fun of Saudi Arabia yesterday. We aren’t forgotten
— Imoh (@ImohUmoren) November 22, 2022
Who is laughing now :p #FIFAWorldCup https://t.co/H4i6vyIrLc
— ✨سپارکل✨ (@Hanna_Speakss) November 22, 2022
Few days back Roy Keane and others were ridiculing Saudis. Today Saudis gave them shut up call. And yes Saudi fans actually played in the field . Their support for their team was heart warming. https://t.co/GIgWaPBwQ0
— Aamir Abbasi (@AamirAbbasi111) November 22, 2022
YES THEY ACTUALLY PLAYED WITH THEM. HEAR THE 12th PLAYER........ THE CHEERS WERE DEAFENING pic.twitter.com/hFSVIRCtuQ
— Oyinemi Nicholas End (@onenikend) November 22, 2022
Roy keane
First : fuck your self
Second: Watch with your fucking eyes what the Saudis are doing 🇸🇦🇸🇦🇸🇦#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/am7gRvd8ee— Abdulrahman (@Abclulrahman) November 22, 2022
The sheer number of Saudi Arabian fans present for today's match created the best atmosphere we have seen so far at this year's tournament, whilst also driving their team forward. There is no denying, however, that Saudi Arabia played excellently to beat Argentina in one of the biggest World-Cup upsets of all time.
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