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Messi, playing his fifth World Cup, beat Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais on a breakaway, but...
Digital Desk: Argentina suffered one of the World Cup's biggest shocks on Tuesday when Saudi Arabia came from behind to win 2-1 at Lusail Stadium.
Argentina, one of the tournament favourites, took the lead in the 10th minute on a penalty shot taken coolly by Messi.
However, two goals early in the second half, one a spectacular strike from Salem Al-Dawsari, flipped the game on its head and left the Albiceleste with little margin for error in their remaining Group C games against Mexico and Poland.
Argentina came into the game overwhelmingly expected to win and was on course to match Italy's record 37-match unbeaten run when they went ahead early on thanks to Messi's penalty, which came about following a VAR check for pushing and shoving in the box.
Messi, playing his fifth World Cup, beat Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais on a breakaway, but that goal, as well as two others by Lautaro Martinez, were declared offside due to Saudi Arabia's high defensive line.
Saleh Al-Shehri fired a low effort in the 48th minute, and Al-Dawsari curled in a scorching rocket from the edge of the penalty area in the 53rd minute, leaving Argentina stunned.
Al-Owais saved well at point-blank range to deny Argentina when Lisandro Martinez's shot deflected off Nicolas Tagliafico but Lionel Scaloni's side, who have four players older than 34 in their starting XI, looked tired in the final 30 minutes.
As Saudi Arabia, ranked 51st in the world, was closing in on a famous victory, the game was delayed due to a horrific collision between Al-Owais and Yasir Al Shahrani, which resulted in the defender leaving the ground on a stretcher.
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