World Cup 2022: Messi Responds to Saudi Arabia Trolls After First Loss

• Saudi Arabia recorded a shock 2-1 win over Argentina in their opening World Cup game
• This led to a section of Saudi fans to sarcastically troll Argentine captain Lionel Messi
• Argentina reached the final by beating Croatia and fans have responded on social media

Argentina began their World Cup campaign with a shocking and embarrassing 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, a loss which cast doubts on them as one of the favourites.

Saudi came from behind with two quick goals in the second half to beat Argentina, who had three first half goals disallowed for offside by the semi-automatic offside technology.

The fans of the Arabian nation gathered outside the Lusail Stadium after the match, sarcastically asking 'where is Messi?' in an attempt to troll the South American nation's captain.

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Argentina went from that loss to scoring at least two goals in every match, and Messi contributing and attacking return. La Albiceleste are in the finals and the Saudi fans can surely see where Messi is now.

Messi leads Argentina to final

Argentina returned to the same spot of their embarrassing loss to Saudi Arabia, the Lusail Stadium, to beat Croatia 3-0 in a possibly too-simple semi-final.

As reported by ESPN, Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot, a fierce top corner shot that left Dominik Livakovic with no chance despite moving in the right direction.

Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez then scored a beautiful solo goal, capitalising on a few defensive blunders by the Croatians.

The biggest highlights of the night were when the veteran striker outmuscled, outran and totally destroyed 20-year-old defender Josko Gvardiol to set up Alvarez for his second.

The destruction of Gvardiol has made his reported RB Leipzig asking price of €100m seem not worth the expense, according to Marca.

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More records for Messi

Sports Brief earlier reported that Messi set two new records with his goal against Croatia, as Argentina dismantled the Russia 2018 World Cup runners-up.

The 35-year-old became the oldest player to score five goals in a FIFA World Cup, as he tied with PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe on top of the scoring chart.

It was also his 11th World Cup goal, meaning he is now the highest-scoring Argentine in Mundial history and has surpassed the legendary Gabriel Batistuta.