Five biggest World Cup shocks ever as Argentina lose to minnows Saudi Arabia… but where does Messi’s misery rank?
SAUDI Arabia stunned Planet Football with their astonishing comeback win over tournament favourites Argentina in the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
But where does the humiliation of Lionel Messi and Co rank in the list of all-time World Cup upsets?
PASaudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari scored a famous winner against Argentina[/caption]
GettySaleh Al-Shehri also scored with a fine finish[/caption]
APLionel Messi opened the scoring but he could not prevent a historic loss[/caption]
SunSport picks out the five biggest World Cup thunderbolts.
5. Cameroon 1 Argentina 0 San Siro, Milan, Italy, 1990
Diego Maradona had inspired his country to the ultimate triumph four years earlier but the holders were humbled in the opening match in Italy.
It was at times a brutal affair, with Cameroon showing they could chop down anything that moves.
Francois Omam-Biyik caught the Argentine defence ball-watching before his header squirmed through keeper Nery Pumpido to put the 10-man Indomitable Lions – his brother had been dismissed – ahead.
Despite a second red card for Gilbert Massing, Cameroon held on.
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4. Algeria 2 West Germany 1 Gijon, Spain 1982
Nobody saw this one coming, certainly not Jupp Derwall and “Die Mannschaft”.
A thrilling Algerian counter was completed when Rabar Madjer poked home from close range at the start of the second half.
Normal service appeared set to be resumed as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stabbed home from four yards out but within a minute Algeria were back in front when Salah Assad romped down the left and Lakhdar Belloumi turned home.
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3. North Korea 1 Italy 0 Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough, England 1966
Rotten tomatoes at the airport for the devastated Italians as they were sent packing by the unheralded team from the pariah state.
The Azzurri only needed a draw to progress yet were unable to respond to Pak Doo-Ik’s first half goal.
The strike not only won the game but earned him a promotion in the North Korean Army, from corporal to sergeant.
2. Saudi Arabia 2 Argentina 1 Lusail Iconic Stadium, Qatar 2022
This was supposed to be the first stage in Lionel Messi’s ultimate World Cup journey.
Everything seemed to be going according to plan when Messi converted from the spot after a VAR penalty intervention, while Argentina had THREE chalked off for offside.
But two goals in five minutes by Yahya Al Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari turned the game and the tournament on its head.
1. England 0 USA 1 Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 1950
England arrived in Brazil expecting to show it was not a proper World Cup without them and left with their tails between their legs.
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Stanley Matthews was rested but England still included Stan Mortensen, Tom Finney and Alf Ramsey. They dominated the game but could not score and Haiti-born Joe Gaetjens, later to die at the hands of troops loyal to dictator “Papa Doc” Duvalier scored the only goal.
Middlesbrough’s Wilf Mannion summed up the disbelief in the dressing room: “Bloody ridiculous; can’t we play them again tomorrow?”
