'Maradona Watching Messi From Heavens': Argentina's Shock Loss To Saudi Arabia Sparks Meme Fest

FIFA World Cup 2022: The Argentine team, which has been unbeaten for the last 36 matches, lost its very first match of the tournament.

By : ABP News Bureau | Edited By: nitink | Updated at : 22 Nov 2022 08:10 PM (IST)

FIFA world cup 2022 Diego Maradona Lionel Messi Argentina vs Saudi Arabia Lusail Iconic Stadium 'Maradona Watching Messi From Heavens': Argentina's Shock Loss To Saudi Arabia Sparks Meme Fest

Lionel Messi of Argentina in action during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium.

Source : File Photo/Getty

Lionel Messi-led Argentina team lost its very first match of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar at 80,000-seat jam-packed Lusail Iconic Stadium. Soon after Argentina's loss, football fans flooded social media with funny memes. The Argentine team, which has been unbeaten for the last 36 matches, lost its very first match of the tournament. The team kept trying till the last minute, but could not equalize the score. Messi scored the only goal for Argentina from a penalty kick.

By the virtue of this win, Saudi Arabia broke Argentina's 36-game unbeaten streak and delivered one of the biggest upsets of FIFA World Cup history.

Argentina was on top at the beginning of the first half as captain Lionel Messi scored first goal of the match, making use of the penalty awarded to his team after VAR intervention. Lautaro Martinez scored two goals after Messi's opening goal but on both occasions, VAR suggested he was offside and Argentina's goals were chalked off.

Also Read: FIFA WC 2022 Qatar: Messi-Led Argentina Stumble To A Shock 1-2 Loss Vs Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia pulled themselves back into the game by scoring an equaliser, minutes into the second half, through Saleh Al Shehri and later Salem Al Dawsari doubled the lead for his side. Argentina, Messi were attacking consistently, desperately looking for a breakthrough to level scores but the end product wasn't just good enough.

Saudi Arabia became the first non-European team to beat Argentina at the World Cup since Cameroon in 1990.

Under Coach Scolani', Argentina looks extremely balanced and footballing legend Messi has a big responsibility of getting Argentina a World Cup win under his captaincy but sadly, they have had a horrific start to their WC campaign.

Here is how people reacted on social media:

Diego Maradona from heavens watching Lionel Messi and Argentina losing to Saudi Arabia in FIFA World Cup! pic.twitter.com/VNiE4dQDqN
— NDEGE 🦅HSC🇰🇪 (@Vinnie_Og) November 22, 2022