Wild euphoria after World Cup coup
Epic fight of Messi humiliators ends in amusement park
By Stephan Uersfeld, Doha
11/22/2022, 4:39 p.m
Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 win over Argentina on the third day of the World Cup in Qatar is one of the greatest sensations in tournament history. Over 51 minutes in the second half, the underdogs defend their lead. There is no stopping the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The last minute lasts 14 minutes. The very last minute, two more minutes. Argentina throws everything forward. Again and again long balls sail from the center line in the direction of the penalty area, again and again a Saudi is there. The cheering of the fans swells more and more, no one is sitting anymore, the entire team is on the sidelines, and then it’s over. Referee Slavko Vincic whistles the game off.
People hug each other, an Argentinian in a Messi jersey congratulates him in the stands, a few players on the pitch fall to the ground. The real Lionel Messi is just a tragic marginal figure. The spectators at the packed Lusail Stadium have just seen a glitch in the system. Saudi Arabia beat the big title favorites Argentina 2-1 (0-1) and wrote World Cup history.
“We really cheered each other on at half-time,” said the outstanding central defender Hassan Al-Tambaakti. The 23-year-old delivered the game of his life, threw himself into every shot, won every duel and then celebrated with loud screams and gestures. “We won against the best player who has ever played this game. And then against the favorite for the title. It’s a big, big boost for us,” said Salah Al-Sheri, who scored the 1-1 shortly after the World Cup shock at half-time. “Saudi Arabia can go far, very far.”
Three goals and none of them count
The huge outsider is pumped full of adrenaline, euphoria and emotions. They have defended their lead for almost exactly 51 minutes in the last 45 minutes. Getting more and more into a defensive frenzy, more and more believing in their chances, although Argentina constricts them, crushes them and wants to score in minutes of attacking phase.
The sensation does not appear out of nowhere. It builds up very slowly. The first half belongs to the Argentines, who repeatedly overwhelm Saudi Arabia. With simple balls behind the chain, with shifts in play, with quick movements in midfield, they get into good positions. After Lionel Messi’s early goal to make it 1-0, the game is actually already over. But the first 45 minutes are full of hints. With the first action of the game, goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais parries a fine Messi flick, for a few minutes between the 10th and 20th minute of the game the outsider manages to carry the game into the Argentine half.
Then there are three offside goals – once Messi with his head and twice Inter striker Lautaro Martinez. Except for one goal, the decisions are tight, but they stand. Argentina feels safe. They actually lead 4-0 here. In addition, Saudi captain Salman Al-Faraj is practically eliminated with the half-time whistle due to injury. What’s supposed to happen?
Six warnings in the final stages
All! First Al-Sheri leaves his opponent Cristian Romero and pushes past Damian Martinez from a tight angle, then Salem Al-Dawsari performs magic. After Romero’s defense failed, he left several players in the penalty area and sent the ball sensitively from the corner of the penalty area into the long corner. What a goal. The game was over in just five minutes. Three minutes later, Al-Tambaakti tackles Messi. The world star cannot ignore the defender of Al-Shabab.
If an Argentine does come through the lines, Al-Owais is already there in goal. He cleared Nicolas Tagliafico from three meters in the 63rd minute. Substitute Julian Alvarez and Messi’s headers are easy practice for him that day. Once he gives the Manuel Neuer, leaves the penalty area and gets the ball before the onrushing Martinez. Argentina, who are so organized in the first half, act headlessly, hectically, throw everything and everyone forward. Triple change in the 59th minute, then another change.
The Saudis collect yellow cards. They have zero yellow cards in the 67th minute and six at the end of the game. Eight players are temporarily in a line in the penalty area and close everything. Argentina can’t find a way. They start fighting for a point and no longer for the win. Goalkeeper Al-Owasi no longer has any friends. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, he clears teammate Yasser-Sharani. He has to leave the field with a suspected concussion. None of this matters anymore when the last minute ends after 14 minutes.
On course “worst World Cup”
On the way out of the stadium, the Saudi fans hug each other, laugh, present their flags, and a few women in traditional robes can also be seen. “Germany is so much stronger than Argentina,” says one: “We lost 8-0 to them.” But in 2002 Germany also had Carsten Jancker up front, Argentina only has Lionel Messi 20 years later.
The soccer World Cup has now finally arrived in Qatar. After the disastrous start for hosts Qatar, the large neighboring country has now electrified the region. If the Saudis advance, this tournament will be recharged again in the small emirate. A suddenly conceivable From Argentina, however, a disaster. Around 80,000 Argentines are said to be in Doha. If FIFA also breaks this market, the tournament will finally steer towards the “worst World Cup in history”. Gianni Infantino would not be thrilled. He will certainly be happy for his buddy Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, with whom he recently presented himself to the world public at the opening ceremony. But on this day, when football comes to Qatar, that too is briefly pushed into the background.
“First of all, I would like to thank the fans for coming and I really hope they get to their hotels or their homes safely,” says striker Al-Sheri: “We still need them. We still have two games left and we depend on their support.” They have already turned the Lusail, the final stadium, into a home game.
The fans of the Albiceleste, the sky blue, have little to oppose them. They are also incredibly loud. But not as loud as the TV commentary on Saudi Sports, which is filming a public viewing in their broadcast. He utters “Allahu Akbar” eight times, and a little later the head of the Saudi entertainment authority, the influential sports official Turki al-Sheikh, opens the gates to three amusement parks. One of the greatest sensations in World Cup history must be celebrated.