TheCable

Day 3 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup started with an unexpected result as Saudi Arabia defeated the Lionel Messi-led Argentine side.

Messi gave Argentina a 10th-minute lead from the penalty spot but two second-half goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari earned the Arabians all three points against their opponents at the Lusail Stadium in Doha.

The victory made the Saudis the first non-European team to beat Argentina at the World Cup since Cameroon at Italia 1990.

Here are five major talking points from Day 3.

Solid Tunisia

In spite of the stalemate, Tunisia and Denmark played one of the most exciting nil-nil draws in World Cup history in their Group D encounter.

Many pundits had expected Denmark to run riot against Tunisia but the Carthage Eagles were disciplined and compact at the back.

The North Africans put up an energetic display, with crunching tackles, blistering pace and an evident self-belief that they could get something out of the game.

Ochoa still evergreen

Guillermo Ochoa couldn’t have imagined that he would end up as the hero when the referee signalled the kick-off as Mexico squared up against Poland.

In a match where the forwards were poor in front of the goal, it was a perfect opportunity for goalkeepers to shine.

And Ochoa, playing in his fifth World Cup, took the initiative by delivering an impressive performance.

Public holiday in Saudi Arabia

After an unimaginable upset comes celebrations!

Following the unexpected victory over tournament favourites Argentina, wild and ecstatic celebrations erupted in the oil-rich country.

To underscore the significance of the feat, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s king, declared a national public holiday on Wednesday.

Giroud keeps proving them wrong

Veteran striker Olivier Giroud was not included in the French team’s World Cup qualifiers. 

The AC Milan star may have probably been on the bench for the game against Australia if not for injuries sustained by key players like Christopher Nkunku and Karim Benzema.

He repaid the faith of Didier Deschamps with a brace against Australia, becoming the joint-highest goalscorer in France’s history.

Herve Renard, the master tactician

Frenchman Renard masterminded an upset for Saudi Arabia who fought back from a goal down to defeat almighty Argentina 2-1.

The coach is well known in Africa, having won the African Cup of Nations for Zambia and Cote D’Ivoire in the past.

Playing a defensive high line from start to finish, Renard’s team rewarded him with a well-deserved victory.