REPORTAGE – Find the impressions of our special correspondent for Argentina-Saudi Arabia (1-2).
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Heroic Saudis, the sensation of the start of Mondial
Sensation! A magic moment. Unexpected. And unexpected for all the Saudi people. At the final whistle of this Argentina-Saudi Arabia (1-2), the men of Hervé Renard, pushed by thousands of supporters at the Lusail stadium, exulted. Capsized in happiness. Drunkenness. The 51st nation in the world, little Thumb of this World Cup, has achieved the authentic feat of sweeping the Argentina of Lionel Messi, undefeated for 36 matches before this meeting and clearly decked out with the status of favorite. Prodigious. Colossal. Magical. Undoubtedly the most beautiful surprise of this World Cup in Qatar so far. Led 1-0 on a penalty from Messi (10th), Saudi Arabia stunned the Argentines after the break on fine goals from Saleh Al-Sherhi (48) and Salem Al-Dawsari (53).
A crazy atmosphere in Lusail
It was expected and it did not miss. Between Argentinians present en masse for Lionel Messi’s last dance in a World Cup and Saudis who came in large numbers to neighboring countries (Ryad, the Saudi capital is 6 hours by road, 45 minutes by flight from Doha), the Lusail stadium s turned into a volcano Tuesday noon.
It was 1 p.m. in Qatar when the two nations began their fight, but the 80,000-seat venue, which will host the final, had been overheated for quite some time. Just imagine the brilliant atmosphere when Messi opened the scoring or the unexpected goals from the Saudis… Moments of ecstasy, joy and a noise that will make you deaf.
Read alsoWorld Cup: Hervé Renard, a life of football and adventures, discover the French technician who created the first surprise of the World Cup
Brotherhood among (all) peoples
Nearly three hours before the start of the match, Argentinian and Saudi fans set fire to the metro, near the stadium, all in a good-natured atmosphere and under a blazing sun. From the kid with his parents to the Argentinian grandpa of almost 80 years old, all this little world found itself for a moment of communion. A sign that football brings people together, the Saudis and Qataris, whose two countries are rivals on the international scene, took the time to take photos before entering the stadium, smiling. For a total party. Long live football!
A claw strike
Sparse stands despite everything and a questionable count
If the atmosphere in the stands was very grandiose this Tuesday under the dodger of Doha, needless to say that it is a stain to see an enclosure of 80,000 places partially sparse. It is even more visible in each second period, or the officials, in the presidential gallery, do not come back to see the rest of the match. Sequence interviewed since the start of the World Cup and repeated at the Lusail stadium. It looks bad. Add to that the bad faith of the organizers who announce an attendance of 88,000 spectators for Argentina-Saudi Arabia, while the enclosure can only contain … 80,000 people. This would almost remind us of the bogus figures during the demonstrations between those put forward by the police headquarters and the demonstrators. Except that this is a World Cup.
Messi far too discreet
The football world had its eyes on him. But Lionel Messi, who made no secret that the meeting in Qatar would probably be his last World Cup, was not at the level expected on Tuesday. If he opened the scoring in the first period with a well-assured penalty with a flat foot, the 35-year-old Argentinian, legend of the sport, saw a goal disallowed a few minutes later. Before almost disappearing from circulation during the second boosted act of the Saudis. With this defeat, Argentina is already very hot and the Pulga must, from Saturday against Mexico, reveal a completely different face.
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