World Cup: Daily update from day 2 in Qatar
Argentina and Saudi Arabia meet in Group C of the World Cup 2022 in Qatar today. Argentina are one of the favourites to lift the trophy this winter, and they begin their bid with a favourable tie against Saudi Arabia, one of the minnows of the competition.
While seemingly sterner tests await Lionel Messi and his teammates when they take on Mexico and Poland – who meet later in the day – this opening game represents a great chance for the two-time champions to pick up three points and early momentum.
Argentina have not won the World Cup since 1986, when Maradona starred for them in Mexico, and the nation is desperate not only to reclaim the crown but also to see Messi add this elusive title to his already frighteningly long list of accolades.
Messi missed some training sessions in the week leading up to this game with Saudi Arabia, but the captain stressed: “I’m feeling very well, I’m very well physically, good condition.” That is good news for Argentina but bad news for Saudi Arabia, as they look to spring one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
Follow all the action with our live blog below.
Argentina vs Saudi Arabia latest updates
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Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia
15 mins: A good response from Saudi, who have had their fair share of the ball since the opening goal, but are struggling to make an impact in the final third.
Meanwhile – a picture of Messi’s celebrations after his first goal of this World Cup!
Fun fact: Messi failed to score at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa – the only World Cup he has played and failed to score in!
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 10:17
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Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia (Messi pen, 10)
10 mins: Lionel Messi sends the keeper the wrong way – and Argentina lead!
The captain waits for Alowais to move to his left before sending the ball in the opposite direction!
A dream start for Argentina! VAR involved from the off too – a clear penalty… but where’s the consistency?
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 10:12
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Argentina 0-0 Saudi Arabia
It’s Ali Albulayhi with the foul, with a pull on Argentina’s Leandro Paredes – it’s quite clear and it’s an early penalty! Similar to the one not given with Harry Maguire yesterday though…
Lionel Messi is over it…
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 10:11
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Argentina 0-0 Saudi Arabia
8 mins: VAR involved before the free-kick is even taken!
It’s looking like a foul from the corner…
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 10:09
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Argentina 0-0 Saudi Arabia
7 mins: Saudi clear their lines – via a punch from Alowais – but Argentina win another free-kick by the touchline after a needless foul on midfielder Rodrigo De Paul.
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 10:09
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Argentina 0-0 Saudi Arabia
5 mins: Tell you what – it’s feisty early on!
A few tackles flying in as both teams tussle for the ball – Argentina now have the first corner of the game…
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 10:07
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Argentina 0-0 Saudi Arabia
2 mins: Wow – it didn’t take long for Lionel Messi to be involved, it’s a huge chance!
It’s scrappy – but the ball breaks to the Argentina captain in the box and he strokes the ball towards the corner… but it’s well-saved with a strong right hand from Saudi keeper Mohammed Alowais
It could well be a long day for the Saudi keeper – but an impressive first involvement!
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 10:04
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Argentina vs Saudi Arabia: Kick-off!
We’re underway at the 80,000-seater Lusail Iconic Stadium!
Argentina in their usual blue and white strip, with Saudi Arabia in green!
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 10:01
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Argentina vs Saudi Arabia: We’re moments from kick-off!
Emeliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico, Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Alejandro Gomez, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Lionel Messi (c), Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria.
Mohamed Al-Owais, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Yasser Al-Shahrani, Mohamed Kanno, Saud Abdulhamid, Abdulelah Al-Malki, Saleh Al-Shehri, Hassan Al-Tambakti, Salman Al-Faraj(c), Salem Al-Dawsari, Firas Al-Buraikan.
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 09:59
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Argentina vs Saudi Arabia: The teams are out!
The Lusail Iconic Stadium is the scene for this opening game in Group C between Argentina and Saudi Arabia!
This stadium will host the final in just under four weeks’ time – will Lionel Messi be there?!
The journey starts here. National anthems coming right up!
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 09:55