WORLD SHOCKER IN LUSAIL QATAR, MIRACLE AS SAUDI ARABIA BEATS WORLD CUP HOPEFULS ARGENTINA 2-1
By Eniola Olatunji
Oil rich Saudi Arabia on Tuesday afternoon produced an over 90 years world football shocker to be tagged the Lusail Qatar Miracle beating propped possible trophy winner and two times former champions, Argentina with full complement of world class players like several times Balon D’oor winner, Lionel Messi and ageless Di Maria 2-1 in a classical group D opener.
Messi had scored from the penalty spot in the 10th minute before the VAR rejected what would have been Argentina’s second goal through Matinez in the 28th minute.
On resumption of the second half the Saudi boys who have never in their five appearances won their opening matches having drawn only one and lost four just erected the German wall that Russia could not bomb frustrating every move of the South American champions.
Saleh Al-Shehri with an assist from Fivas Al-Buraikan exposed the frailties of the Argentine defence as he sliced through the defence like hot knife through butter in the 49th minute for his first world cup goal and 11th for Saudi. It was a beauty to watch but sad to see Messi shake his head prophetically for pending trouble.
Then the shocker that was unbelievable in the 54th minute when Salem (meaning Peace) Al-Dawsari in a solo effort scored the second goal for Saudi Arabia. The Argentine stand was as silent as a grave yard!
Saudi was desperate for the upset bagging all the 7 yellow cards of the match. They cared less as long as it was not a red card. The FIFA statistics of two shots on target for Saudi and five for Argentina became questionable as the Argentine goal keeper saved many situations for where the shame of defeat would have caused a collateral damage. Saudi had 2 corner kicks and Argentina 8.
Football records were trashed in the use match. Argentina the Goliath were making their 18th appearance and ranked 3rd in the world being champions in 1978 and 1986; Runners-up thrice in 1930 when she lost to Uruguay 4-2; 1990 and 2014. They lost at quarterfinals four times in 1966, 1998, 2006 and 2016.
Football pundits who watched the dismal performance of Argentina are wondering whether the Goliaths will be pushed out at the group stage as she trade tackles with Mexico next on Saturday 26th and Poland will face Saudi Arabia. Four times Argentina lost at group stages, 1934, 1958, 1962 and 2002. Will the last appearance of Lionel Messi for Argentina in FIFA world cup be with shame?
Saudi ranked 61 in the world had their best performance at USA 94 in the year Nigeria ended the exploits of magical Diego Maradona over allegation of drug use. Nigeria lost then 1-2.
Saudi named Al-Saqour an Arab name for Falcons like the nickname of Nigeria’s female team, best performance ever was round of 16 in 1994 all other outings in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2018 ended at group stages.
Slovenian Ref, Slauko Vincic almost lost control of the game to the frustration and desperation of Argentina who wanted an equalizer anyhow, he refused any pressure to award penalty kick and Di Maria became a ball boy helping Saudi to pick balls gone out of play and put at goal kick spots to save time.
The world awaits the result of Poland versus Mexico to predict the direction of the waves in Group C. That match will be handled by Chris Beath of Australia.
Also expected on Tuesday is Denmark versus Tunisia to be handled by Mexican Ref Cesar Arturo Ramos in Group D while former champions, France will play Rugby nation, Australia in the match to be handled by South African Ref Victor Gomes.
On Saturday, group D second round matches will be France versus Demark and Tunisia versus Australia.
Eniola Olatunji reporting.
#2022Qatarfifaworldcup.