sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Saudi Arabia goalkeeper told Lionel Messi where to put his penalty, he made him look a fool
Home>Football
Updated 11:33 22 Nov 2022 GMTPublished 10:48 22 Nov 2022 GMT

Saudi Arabia goalkeeper told Lionel Messi where to put his penalty, he made him look a fool

Lionel Messi stroked in a cool penalty to put Argentina 1-0 against Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Lionel Messi was told where to put his penalty by Saudi Arabia's goalkeeper and he made him look a little silly as a result.

Argentina were awarded an early spot-kick at the Lusail Stadium after a VAR review spotted Leandro Paredes being held from a set-piece.

There was a bit of a delay and Messi, Argentina's go-to taker, grabbed the ball and placed it. Of course, Opposition goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais tried to get inside the PSG star's head with some mind games.

Advert

As he stood on his line, he was spotted pointing to the right and instructing Messi where to go.

But it backfired massively. Al-Owais ended up diving to his left and was already on the deck as Messi coolly rolled the ball into the opposite corner for his first goal of the 2022 tournament.


Messi has now scored seven goals in four different World Cups and has been involved in 14 of his country's last 20 goals in all competitions.

Advert

Argentina are one of the favourites for the tournament and if they avoid defeat against Saudi Arabia they will equal Italy's world record 37-match unbeaten run.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

Lionel Scalonis's side had no less than THREE disallowed goals in a pulsating first half against Saudi Arabia.

Messi had one strike chalked off but Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez had a pair of efforts ruled out as he struggled to time his runs against an extremely high line.

Advert

But early on in the second half, Saleh Al-Shehri equalised against the run of play after leaving Cristian Romero in the dust before beating Emiliano Martinez with a left-footed finish that went across the Aston Villa goalkeeper.

Saudi Arabia's fans went wild, providing a deafening noise when they found the net for the leveller and then there was utter pandemonium moments later as Salem Al-Dawsari turned the game around completely.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy & ITV

Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, FIFA World Cup

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Recommended reads

Luke Riley makes bold prediction ahead of blockbuster fight on Conor McGregor v Max Holloway cardGetty ImagesForget Conor McGregor - Lone'er Kavanagh is the UFC star you should be watching this weekendGetty ImagesF1 and F3 trainer reveals gruelling physical and mental work drivers must do for each race ahead of British GPGettyDavid Croft proposes new Olympic sport with drivers from 'around the world' ahead of British GPGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente tears into behaviour of Argentina players

    FIFA have opened an investigation into the events that followed the World Cup final.

    Football
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Jermain Defoe leaves as manager of his first club after 116 days of 'eye-opening experience'

    Defoe had been in charge of National League side Woking.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Leandro Paredes makes statement on Argentina future after ugly World Cup final scenes

    Leandro Paredes has commented on his long-term Argentina future after the World Cup.

    Football
  • EA Sports
    2 hours ago

    EA Sports FC 27 given new age rating for first time in franchise history, it will impact millions

    PEGI has introduced stricter guidelines for classifying a game's age rating

    Football
  • Lionel Messi breaks silence on Argentina losing World Cup final amid retirement speculation
  • Lionel Messi makes big claim about England as he sends warning to Three Lions players
  • Marc Guehi interrupts Lionel Messi interview and makes telling comment after Argentina beat England
  • The astonishing number of Lionel Messi shirts Adidas make for every Argentina game - and why