It will go down as one of the World Cup’s biggest shocks.
All the pre-match talk was about how this could finally be Lionel Messi’s year, how Argentina could be crowned world champions for the first time since 1986, how Saudi Arabia had no chance.
What a difference 90 minutes make.
As a heroic Saudi side celebrated their stunning 2-1 win with their jubilant fans in a deafening Lusail Stadium, Argentina’s disbelieving players crept off with their supporters shocked into almost total silence.
There was no sign of this result at half-time. Messi had slotted Argentina ahead from the penalty spot, three other efforts had been ruled out for offside and Saudi Arabia looked to be settling for damage limitation.
Then two Saudi goals in six crazy minutes early in the second half entirely changed the narrative and, despite plenty of prodding and probing from Messi and co, the underdogs valiantly held on to a result that will never be forgotten by the thousands of fans fortunate enough to witness it.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has even announced a public holiday on Wednesday in the wake of the win.
While their party spilled on to the streets of Lusail, how seismic was this result and what damage has it done to what is surely Messi’s last stab at World Cup glory?
“It’s a very heavy blow, a defeat that hurts, but we must continue to have confidence in ourselves,” said Messi. “This group is not going to give up. We will try to beat Mexico.
“This is the time to stick together, to turn the page and not think about what happened. We always said we were going to (try to) win every game and now more than ever.”
