Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina in one of the biggest upsets of FIFA World Cup history on Tuesday, November 22. Saudi Arabia defeated Lionel Messi’s team 2-1. Messi was the only Argentinian to score a goal for Argentina. 

For the Saudis, it was Saleh Alsheshri who scored at the 48th minute of the game and Salem Aldaswari, who sealed the match with the second goal at the 58th minute of the game. 

Here are the biggest upsets in FIFA World Cup history so far: 

  • France 0-1 Senegal (2002) 

This was the opening match of the 2002 World Cup. France, at the time the defending champions, were going without star player Zinedine Zidane. It was Senegal’s Papa Bouba Diop who scored the only goal in the game and became a national hero soon after

  • Argentina 0-1 Cameroon (1990)

This was Diego Maradona’s team and they were sure to put on a show. But Cameroon’s Francois Omam-Blyik had other plans. 

Also Read | FIFA World Cup 2022: How does loss vs Saudi Arabia hurt Lionel Messi’s Argentina?

  • Italy 0-1 Costa Rica (2014) 

Costa Rica were seen as rank outsiders in the group and from there they went on to produce their best ever result at the World Cup by reaching the quarter finals. 

Also Read | Who is Herve Renard?

  • England 0-1 USA (1950) 

The English team were regarded as champions of “soccer”. But USA made a landmark when they defeated the England team in the 1950 World Cup. 

  • Italy 0-1 Korea DPR (1966)

Korea DPR were newcomers in the tournament and Italy two-time champions. The surprise win for Korea which came in the final round of the group matches, knocked the Italians out of the competition.  

Following Saudi Arabia’s victory, team manager Herve Renard was widely hailed as a tactical genius. Many pointed out that his superstition had indeed worked. Renard has the superstition that his team will win if he wears a white shirt. 

  “We (Zambia) were playing in the second game of the (2010) Africa Cup of Nations against Cameroon,” Renard recalled to Esquire. “I wore a light blue shirt, but we lost 3-2 so in the following game, I wore a white shirt. We won and finished first in the group, in front of Cameroon,” he had said.