Argentina vs Saudi Arabia: New Evidence Shows Lautaro Martinez’s Offside Goal Should Have Stood

• The Video Assistant Referee made a mistake in ruling out Lautaro Martinez's chipped effort against Saudi Arabia
• Argentina were victims of Saudi Arabia's highline but new photos have shown that Martinez was indeed played onside by a fullback
• The decision proved costly for the Albiceleste, who fell to a shock 2-1 defeat in their opening game of the 2022 World Cup

Argentina were shocked by a less-fancied Saudi Arabia side on November 22nd at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

Saudi Arabia came from a goal down to win 2-1 in a game where Argentina were consistently played offside by the opponent's high line. New evidence has, however, suggested that one of Argentina's disallowed goals should have stood.

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez chipped the ball over Saudi Arabia's goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais, but after a long review, the goal was chalked off for offside.

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In a set of photographs presented by Flashscore, VAR appeared not to look at Saudi Arabia's fullback Yasser Alshahrani who kept Martinez onside. Messi was the one who was clearly offside but did not interfere with the play.

The incident came at a time when Argentina was leading courtesy of a Messi penalty. If Martinez's goal had been allowed to stand, it could have been more difficult for the Herve Renard side to come back into the game.

Messi asks Argentina to be united

Speaking after the game, Lionel Messi didn't blame any on-field decisions. Instead, as Sports Brief reported, he called on his side to be ‘more united than ever’ as he insists his country has no excuses after a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener on Tuesday.

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Saudi Arabia produced the upset of the World Cup after coming from behind to claim a famous 2-1 victory over a nation considered one of the favourites to win this edition of the global spectacle.

The shock result leaves Argentina needing a positive result against Mexico and Poland to stand any chance of making it out of the group stages, and Messi is all too aware of this fact.

Herve Renard congratulates Saudi Arabia

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia Head Coach Herve Renard has thanked his side for showing determination and courage after their shock victory over Argentina.

Lionel Messi had put Argentina ahead at the Lusail Stadium in what looked like a routine win for the South American side, only for Saudi Arabia to score two quickfire goals in the second half.

It was the first time Argentina had lost its opening game of a World Cup encounter.