Saudi Shocker đź‘€
11/23/2022
By: Jeff Yoder
Saudi Arabia Stuns Messi & Argentina, France Blows Out Australia in World Cup Group Stage
Day 3 of the World Cup featured a few scoreless draws and a blowout by France, but the top story was a stunning upset to Lionel Messi and Argentina. Messi put his squad ahead against Saudi Arabia with a 10th-minute penalty strike, but Argentina failed to score again despite 15 shots and 70 percent possession. Two goals in a matter of minutes early in the second half turned the tide as Saleh Alshehri (48’) and Salem Aldawsari (53’) found the net on Saudi Arabia’s only two shots on frame. A lopsided match on the stat sheet saw 21 fouls and six penalties by the Saudis, but a win is a win. And Messi’s 2022 World Cup bid — likely his last — is off to an ugly start.
World Cup Highlights
Saudi Arabia def. Argentina (2-1)
Today’s Schedule
Group F: Morocco vs. Croatia (5:00 am ET)
Group E: Germany vs. Japan (8:00 am ET)
Group E: Spain vs. Costa Rica (11:00 am ET)
Group F: Belgium vs. Canada (2:00 pm ET)
Additional Storylines
ESPN: Lionel Messi: “No Excuses” for Shock Saudia Arabia Defeat
SI: Olivier Giroud Ties Thierry Henry’s French Scoring Record in Rout of Australia
Photo: Catherine Ivill / Getty Images