Its a Saudi Super Show!

Unfancied Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the biggest shocks in football history with victory over South American champions Argentina in a pulsating atmosphere at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

When Lionel Messi gave his side the lead with a coolly taken early penalty, all seemed to be going to plan.

Even three disallowed Argentinian ‘goals’ and the interference of VAR did little to persuade the vast crowd that Messi’s Men would not take the three points. Messi barley broke stride as he influenced the game effortlessly. Cristian Romero of Spurs looked in control at the back.

But the biggest roar I have ever heard in a football ground greeted a goal from Saleh Alsheri to put the Saudi Arabia side level in the second half, heralding outright pandemonium in the stands.

Moments later the atmosphere flew off the radar as Salem Aldawsari fired them ahead!

Unbelievable scenes erupted around the enormous stadium, which will host the final itself next month. The Saudi Arabian contingent in the crowd of 88,012 danced and sang with an intensity I had not witnessed before in a lifetime watching football matches.

Saudi Arabia defended with a guile and tenacity we would normally expect from their highly fancied opponents as they dealt with wave after wave of intense pressure from the Argentinians.

Mohammed Alowais was in simply inspiring form in goal, saving certain goals with all parts of his body. Around him, the defence were giants in green as the noise and drama showed no signs of diminishing. Time and time again he was equal to the task, denying Messi a second goal to clutch a goalward bound header on 84 minutes.

Yellow cards appeared at regular intervals as the game became a titanic clash. Saudi defending reached levels of grit and determination that could barely be described as countless perfectly timed challenges kept the South Americans out.

As we entered an unbelievable eight added minutes, Abdulelah Alamri headed off the line. Alowais was booked. Don’t ask me why.

A late corner was cheered almost as much as a goal by the exuberant Saudi Arabian supporters. Even a hefty clearance into the stands was greeted with the joy of a national celebration.

The game was almost impossible to chronicle now as incident after incident brought new drama.

Still, still though, the Argentinian side were kept at bay. We had a stretcher on during added time and yet more heroics from Alowais as the green flags from the Arab world defiantly made a statement that this 2022 World Cup really would be like no other.

Wild scenes greeted the final whistle as football history was made here, with an intensity that we might just have to get used to.

 

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