Argentina Had More Offsides in First Half Versus Saudi Arabia Than They Did in All of the 2018 World Cup

• Argentina conceded as many as 7 offsides in their opening group game against Saudi Arabia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
• The South American champions, who were stunned by the Middle East nation, conceded only 6 offsides in the 2018 World Cup
• Argentina will next face Mexico in their second group game on November 26, as they bid to reignite their World Cup hopes

Argentina suffered one of their most shocking losses at the World Cup, after the South American champions were stunned 2-1 by Saudi Arabia in their opening group game.

The Argentines took the lead through Lionel Messi and had three goals disallowed in the first half, but somehow capitulated in the second half to concede two goals in a space of five minutes.

Lionel Scaloni’s team also made an unpleasant record, with Argentina recording 7 offsides in just the first half against Saudi Arabia - more than they had all through the 2018 World Cup.

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Argentina had amassed only 6 offside plays in the entirety of the previous Mundial, but that feat had now been vastly surpassed in their first game of the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Argentina will face Mexico in their next group game on Saturday, November 26, as they try to revive their World Cup hopes.

Al-Dawsari strike secures historic win

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia pulled off an extraordinary comeback against Argentina to produce one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history, Goal reports.

Saleh Al-Shehri cancelled out Lionel Messi’s first-half goal, before Salem Al-Dawsari smashed home an incredible strike from a distance to earn a memorable win for the Middle East minnows.

Argentina were ranked as one of the favourites heading into the World Cup, particularly after winning the 2021 Copa America.

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Messi joins Mundial scoring list

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Messi recorded his name in history on November 22, becoming the first Argentine to score at 4 different World Cup tournaments.

The former Barcelona captain achieved this feat when he scored against Saudi Arabia, during the opening Group C game of the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Going into this game, there were serious concerns about the fitness of Messi, but the seven-time Ballon d'Or eventually made the starting lineup and scored to allay fears.