Saudi Arabia produce stunning comeback to beat Argentina 2-1 in huge World Cup upset

Saudi Arabia produced one of the biggest World Cup shocks in history after the side ranked 51st in the world came from behind to beat Argentina 2-1.

Lionel Messi put La Albiceleste 1-0 up in the 10th minute with a coolly dispatched penalty awarded after Leandro Paredes was grappled to the floor from a corner kick.

Argentina, playing against a ridiculously high line, had THREE disallowed goals in the first half. Messi had one chalked off, before Lautaro Martinez had a pair of efforts ruled out.

Herve Renard's side made the game unbelievably frenetic and moments after the restart they equalised against the run of play.

Saleh Al-Shehri absolutely rinsed Cristian Romero and beat Emiliano Martinez with a left-footed finish that went across the goalkeeper.

The Green Falcons have turned it around!! 👀

Saudi Arabia come out firing at the start of the second half with this equaliser against Argentina... ⚡️#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/xvOVyBxaXW

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 22, 2022

The scenes at the Lusail Stadium were breathtaking but then just five minutes later the roof nearly came off the place when Salem Al-Dawsari cut in from the left flank and curled a beauty into the far corner to complete a remarkable turnaround.

Martinez got a hand to it but couldn't keep out the strike and Al-Dawsari performed a backflip celebration as the noisy Saudi fans went wild.

Whatever Hervé Renard said to his players at half-time, it worked!! 🤩@SaudiNT_EN have gone 2-1 up against one of the competition favourites Argentina with this belter!! 🚀#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/uHdXpjUAdm

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 22, 2022

Argentina had the chance to go a record 37 games unbeaten but the run has been ended in surprise fashion in the Group C opener.

Prior to Tuesday's defeat, Argentina had not lost a game since the 2019 Copa America semi-final loss to Brazil.

Lionel Scaloni rang the changes in a bid to salvage the result but Saudi Arabia, who finished above Japan in qualifying, gave absolutely everything and delivered a slew of brave blocks.

After more than 13 minutes of added time was played to follow the new FIFA guidelines, the Green Falcons held on for the biggest victory they've ever achieved in just their 17th World Cup fixture.