HIGHLIGHTS: Argentina 1 vs 2 Saudi Arabia [FIFA WORLD CUP] - Match Reports

Pre-tournament favourites Argentina endured the worst possible start to their World Cup campaign as their 36-game unbeaten run came to an end with a deserved 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Messi's penalty inside the first ten minutes looked to have sent Argentina on their way, particularly when they then had three goals ruled out for offside before half-time.

But Argentina were stunned after the interval as Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari bagged two quickfire goals for Saudi Arabia after the break, and it was a lead they would not relinquish.

Argentina were cruising at half-time and could conceivably have been 4-0 ahead had Messi and Lautaro Martinez not wandered into offside positions before scoring their goals.

They were the dominant force on the ball, had all the territory and Saudi Arabia were playing a dangerously high defensive line that was asking for trouble.

But whatever Herve Renard said to his Saudi Arabia players at the break completely changed the dynamic of the game, and they looked like a completely different side. In contrast, Argentina showed some of their old defensive fragility and the problems that have dogged them at this famous old tournament in years gone by reared their ugly heads once more.

Saleh Al-Shehri's equaliser was smartly taken, firing past Emi Martinez from an angle, but it was a real moment of class from Salem Al-Dawsari that handed Saudi Arabia the lead. He plucked the ball out of the sky, spun away from two Argentina defenders, jinked past another and then unleashed an unstoppable curling effort into the top corner.

Argentina pressured thereafter but they didn't ever create anything really clear cut - Messi dropping deeper and deeper as the game wore on in a desperate attempt to break Saudi Arabia down. He couldn't and neither could his teammates, causing one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.

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