Argentina Media Slam Lionel Messi and Teammates After Historic Defeat to Saudi Arabia

• Media outlets in Argentina have slammed the country's national football team following their abysmal performance against Saudi Arabia
• Quickfire second-half goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari ensured the Green Falcons secured a 2-1 victory
• The Argentina players, led by captain Lionel Messi, have been criticised heavily by journalists of the South American country

Argentinian press have hit out at Lionel Messi and head coach Lionel Scaloni, after a shock World Cup defeat to Saudi Arabia.

The South American giants are among the favourites to win the biggest football tournament in Qatar.

However, the Copa America champions were stunned at the Lusail Stadium after the Green Falcons staged an impressive comeback to triumph 2-1 on Tuesday.

The result has sent shockwaves through the world of football, with 51st-ranked Saudis managing to produce one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

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Media outlets in Argentina have slammed Messi and his colleagues, calling La Albiceleste toothless for ending a 36-match winning run in such shocking fashion.

As per Daily Mail, newspaper La Nacion targeted Messi’s ‘broken spirit’ and wondered ‘what now?’ for their star player.

The newspaper also criticised coach Scaloni’s team selection, labeling his starting XI as 'wrapped in a sandstorm' and saying the 'horizon was clouded'.

Another Argentine press outlet, Ole wrote 'dream to a nightmare' - perhaps in relation to Messi's dream of winning the Mundial in his final appearance at the tournament.

In a separate piece, they wrote that the players had a 'lack of reaction', a 'lack of pressure' and a 'lack of defensive solidity' throughout, adding the defeat will leave lasting scars.

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Fans blame Argentina coach

Meanwhile, football fans have blamed Argentina coach Scaloni, following his decision to bench Lisandro Martinez in their 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia.

Martinez, who has 10 caps for Argentina, has been instrumental for Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, since making the switch to Old Trafford from Ajax.

He was eventually brought on late in the encounter, but it proved to be too little too late for La Albiceleste.

Messi breaks silence after defeat

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Messi called on his side to be ‘more united than ever’, insisting his country has no excuses after a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia came from a goal down to claim a famous 2-1 victory, over a nation considered one of the favourites to win this edition of the global spectacle.

Messi, who has the weight of the nation on his shoulders, admitted after the game that his team had themselves to blame for the Green Falcons' upset.