Lionel Messi scored for Argentina but it was a 2-1 shock defeat vs. Saudi Arabia in the World Cup opening game in the group.

Messi scored his first goal of the 2022 World Cup and Argentina created several opportunities in the first half. Lionel Scaloni’s team scored three more times in the first half but all three were disallowed for offside.

Argentina went into the second half with a 1-0 lead but it quickly disappeared. Cristian Romero was unable to close down Saleh Alshehri who scored to draw Saudi Arabia level.

Just five minutes later, Salem Aldawsari scored a goal which no goalkeeper would have saved. Saudi Arabia had taken a 2-1 lead and Argentina came close having an effort which was cleared off the line.

Lionel Scaloni made three substitutions after the goal. Lisandro Martínez replaced Cristian Romero, Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández replaced Papu Gómez and Leandro Paredes. Marcos Acuña was brought on for Nicolás Tagliafico.

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