Lionel Messi: Watch Saudi Arabia Mohammed Alowais Try to Fool Argentina Star Before Cheeky Penalty

• Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais tried to fool Lionel Messi before the Argentina star took his penalty
• Messi scored from the penalty spot to put Argentina ahead in their opening World Cup game at the Lusail Stadium
• The goals were, however, in vain as Saudi Arabia mounted a second-half comeback to stun the perceived World Cup favourites

Lionel Messi opened his World Cup goal-scoring account from the penalty spot during Argentina's clash against Saudi Arabia.

Argentina were awarded a penalty spot early on after the Video Assistant Referee notified the referee that Leandro Paredes had been fouled in the box.

Messi took charge of the spot-kick with Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais asking the Paris Saint-Germain star to shoot to his right.

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Messi called the goalkeeper's bluff and shot to the goalkeeper's right. But Alowais jumped to his left with Messi dispatching an ice-cold penalty.

Messi's goal against Saudi Arabia

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Lionel Messi opened his 2022 FIFA World Cup goal against Saudi Arabia via the penalty spot. Messi, who is featuring in his fifth Mundial, wasted no time in announcing his presence in Qatar when he tucked away a penalty after just ten minutes.

His goal against Saudi Arabia ensured he chalked yet another remarkable feat in his illustrious career as he became the first Argentine to score at four different World Cup tournaments.

Messi's Argentina have been touted as one of the frontrunners for Qatar 2022, in what could possibly be the 35-year-old playmaker's last dance at the biggest football festival.

Messi's deal with Saudi Arabia

Sports Brief has also reported that Lionel Messi could soon find himself between a rock and a hard place, with the hosting rights of the subsequent World Cups yet to be determined.

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After Qatar 2022, the World Cup will head to the United States of America, Canada and Mexico who are set to jointly host the first expanded tournament of 48 teams in 2026.

The expanded World Cup is set to see future bids invite joint bids. The bid for the 2030 World Cup was officially opened in June, with only Spain, Portugal and Ukraine having submitted a joint bid so far.