BY TheCable
Day 3 of the Qatar 2022 World Cup started with a bang as Saudi Arabia defied bookies’ predictions and expectations of fans to defeat an Argentine side that featured seven-time Balon D’Or winner Lionel Messi.
The outcome ranks among the top upsets in the history of the football Mundial.
TheCable takes a trip down memory lane to spotlight previous incidents of giant-slaying World Cup games.
Algeria 2-1 West Germany
At the 1982 World Cup in Spain, Algeria were not given a chance of taking any point in their group, but they defied the odds to overcome the mighty West Germany who were the reigning European champions.
Led by Rabah Madjer, their legendary forward who scored the opening goal, Algeria were unfazed by Germany’s equaliser and went on to score the winner in a game which saw them go toe to toe with their shell-shocked opponents.
Cameroon 1-0 Argentina
Diego Maradona, arguably the best footballer of all time, was on the pitch when the god of soccer smiled on Africa yet again at a FIFA World Cup.
Facing a squad replete with superstars and expected to defend their crown won in 1986, Cameroon secured the unlikely victory against Argentina, despite finishing the match with nine men following two red cards from brutal tackles.
The dismissals did not stop the Indomitable Lions from defending Francois Oman-Biyik’s headed goal and claiming arguably the biggest shock of the tournament’s history.
Senegal 1-0 France
This match was recently hailed by El-Hadji Diouf, one of the major actors of the day, as football’s biggest upset ever.
Senegal, comprised of players mostly plying their trade in France, dug deep to overcome the reigning world champions in their first-ever World Cup match at Korea/Japan 2002.
Midfielder Papa Bouba Diop delivered the telling blow in the 30th minute on a day remembered as the darkest in French soccer history.
Saudi Arabia 2-1 Argentina
The Saudi Arabians gave a gutsy performance, operating a high line that limited the influence of Lionel Messi.
Going into the encounter, Saudi Arabia, perennial World Cup flops, were expected to ship in goals while bowing to the majesty of Messi.
This would not be the case as the Arabians scored twice in the second half to cancel Messi’s first-half penalty, going on to secure their biggest win yet in football.
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