Graeme Souness, Roy Keane and Joe Cole had strong words for the World Cup favourites after they were humbled in their first match of the World Cup.
It was a shock that no one could’ve predicted.
Argentina, the Copa America holders, came into this World Cup unbeaten in 36 matches stretching back to 2019, falling to a 2-0 defeat against rivals Brazil.
Saudi Arabia enjoyed a seven-game unbeaten run, before falling to a 1-0 defeat to Croatia in a pre-World Cup friendly.
Argentina went into a 1-0 lead, thanks to their talisman Lionel Messi converting from the spot five minutes into the match. It looked an uphill task for the Green Falcons
However, La Albiceleste never capitalised on any chances and conceded minutes after the restart, Saleh Al Sherih converting a low shot past Emi Martinez.
Minutes later, Salem Al Dawsari scored one of the goals of the tournament so far, shuffling at the edge of the box, before whipping it past Martinez, who could only watch it bulge into the net.
Keane, who played in the ’94 World Cup, spoke of the shock on ITV:
‘Absolutely incredible. It’s a great reminder to anyone who’s watching the game of football if you think you can turn up and just depend on your quality to get you over the line, you’re sadly mistaken. Argentina really dreadful in the second half. But Saudi Arabia all credit to them, they stayed in the game, they competed, amazing result for them, amazing.’
Souness, who appeared in three World Cups for Scotland, was critical of Argentina’s approach to the match:
‘I am gobsmacked. I have never witnessed an Argentinian side not be up for a cup in terms of a physical encounter. I thought Argentina had another gear, they don’t have another gear unless they find that yard of aggression from somewhere, they can be rolled over.
Joe Cole, who played in two World Cups for the Three Lions, spoke on Saudi Arabia’s incredible achievement:
‘It’s the romance of football. We all turned up here and none of us gave Saudi’s a chance and them group of players to come together with that intensity, that physicality, that desire and drive, there’s no better feeling in football than winning a game when you’re against the odds.’
He added that the second goal for Saudi Arabia; ‘will inspire a generation of footballers. That has lit this place up we’re amongst them we can hear it this is the World Cup started for me.’
Lionel Scaloni’s side will face Mexico in their next Group C match on Saturday, which is now a must-win for the pre-tournament favourites.
Hervé Renard, the French coach of Saudi Arabia, has led Zambia and Morocco to Africa Cup of Nations glory but fell to defeat against Cheltenham whilst manager of Cambridge United back in 2004.
He’s now led Saudi Arabia to their biggest, and most historical win in the team’s history.
Oliver Holmes
