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Saudi Arabia have crushed Argentina 2-1 to file one of many largest shocks in World Cup historical past.
Lionel Messi had given Argentina an early lead in opposition to the center jap nation with a Tenth-minute penalty.
The South Individuals then had three targets chalked off for offside within the following 35 minutes, suggesting a heavy defeat for Saudi Arabia was doubtless.
However two targets in 5 minutes in the beginning of the second half turned the sport on its head for a aspect that bookies had been providing odds of 500-1 to win the World Cup earlier than the match started.
Saudi needed to dangle on for round 14 minutes’ of added time earlier than the referee blew the whistle for full-time, sparking delirious celebrations amongst their gamers and supporters within the Lusail Stadium.
The match was performed in a unprecedented environment, with Argentina’s historically raucous following matched by the hundreds of Saudis who had crossed the border to cheer on their workforce.
“Our workforce fulfils our desires!” and “The place is Messi? We beat him!”, the green-clad Saudi followers chanted, greeting each clearance from their defence with a deafening roar.
Whereas Argentina dominated possession and compelled saves from Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais, they did not exert sustained stress on the aspect ranked second lowest within the match, after Ghana.
Argentina had been second favourites to raise the trophy earlier than a ball had been kicked, having gone 36 matches unbeaten.
Their final defeat got here three years in the past, to Brazil.
Whereas Saudi Arabian followers rejoiced, the outcome will revive considerations round so-called sportswashing – which the nation’s rulers have been accused of together with host nation Qatar.
Sportswashing is the follow of utilizing sport to enhance the fame of entities together with states accused of wrongdoing.
Saudi is broadly seen to have a dreadful human rights file, with main restrictions on freedom of expression and the rights of girls and migrants.
In a press release launched shortly earlier than the sport kicked off, a UN Human Rights workplace spokesperson mentioned 17 males had been executed in Saudi Arabia since 10 November.
The spokesperson described the determine as “deeply regrettable”.
In response to the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights, 67 executions occurred within the nation in 2021, greater than double the earlier 12 months’s complete.
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