World Cup Rewind: Saudi Arabia shocks Argentina, Ochoa shines in Mexico draw, and extra

It solely took till Matchday 3 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup for the primary main shock of the group stage with Saudi Arabia gorgeous match contender Argentina.

Saudi Arabia moved to high of Group C following a 2-1 comeback victory over Argentina at Lusail Stadium. Salem Al-Dawsari and Saleh Al-Shehri scored 4 minutes aside within the second half whereas Saudi Arabian goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais made 5 saves within the win.

Argentina struck first within the tenth minute as Messi stepped as much as the penalty spot and beat Al Owais for a 1-0 benefit. VAR dominated in favor of a penalty kick after Saudi Arabia proper again Saud Abdulhamid fouled Leandro Paredes within the field.

Argentina got here near including to its lead later within the half, however Lautaro Martinez’s end was waved off by VAR. The Inter Milan striker was whistled for offsides, giving Saudi Arabia a lifeline because the match proceeded.

Saudi Arabia equalized 4 minutes into the second half as Al-Shehri danced previous Cristian Romero and blasted a shot into the bottom-right nook. It was simply the beginning for Saudi Arabia’s assault, which propelled themselves into the lead only for minutes later.

Salem Al-Dawsari minimize into the field on his proper foot earlier than sending a curling shot previous Emiliano Martinez. Martinez acquired a fingertip to the shot, however was unable to maintain it out as Saudi Arabia celebrated a monumental lead.

Argentina tried its greatest to discover a tying objective late however had been unable to keep away from a disastrous group stage begin. Julian Alvarez’s stoppage-time effort was cleared off the road by Abdulelah Al Amri, sealing the victory for Herve Renard’s squad.

Saudi Arabia will subsequent face Poland on Saturday whereas Argentina takes on Mexico.

Here’s a nearer take a look at all of Tuesday’s World Cup outcomes:

Mexico 0, Poland 0

Mexico and Poland squared off on Tuesday aiming to make the most of Argentina’s slip-up in Group C, however neither might discover the again of the online in a goal-less draw.

Guillermo Ochoa denied Robert Lewandowski from the penalty spot within the second half whereas Wojciech Szczesny made 4 saves as each keepers posted clear sheets.

Szczesny was the busier of the 2 goalkeepers, pushing Henry Martin’s effort over the crossbar previous to halftime. The Juventus shot-stopper additionally repelled Jesus Gallardo’s shot earlier within the half, persevering with to return up clutch for his crew.

Poland had a golden alternative to interrupt the impasse within the 58th minute after Hector Moreno pulled down Lewandowski within the field. Nevertheless, the Barcelona ahead was denied by Ochoa, who dove to his left to punch away Lewandowski’s shot.

Each groups continued to strain each other because the second half went on, however neither might ship the ultimate ball. Grzegorz Krychowiak’s shot missed the goal within the ultimate minutes, summing up Poland’s afternoon in entrance of objective.

France 4, Australia 1

(Adrien Rabiot 27′, Olivier Giroud 32′, 71′, Kylian Mbappe 68′) – (Craig Goodwin 9′)

Defending World Cup champions France obtained an early sucker punch from Australia in its group stage opener on Tuesday, however responded in an enormous technique to declare three factors.

Olivier Giroud scored twice whereas Adrien Rabiot and Kylian Mbappe additionally celebrated targets of their very own in a 4-1 comeback victory. Giroud’s two tallies tied him with Thierry Henry atop France’s all-time goalscoring record.

Craig Goodwin shocked France by delivering the opening objective for Australia after solely 9 minutes. Matthew Leckie’s fizzing cross was met by Goodwin, who beat Hugo Lloris for a 1-0 Australia lead.

France responded nicely although and finally turned issues of their favor later within the half. Adrien Rabiot’s highly effective header left Australian defenders shocked and tied issues up within the twenty seventh minute earlier than Giroud’s one-time end made it 2-1 to Les Bleus.

Kylian Mbappe prolonged France’s result in 3-1 within the 68th minute after his backpost header off an Ousmane Dembele cross gave Les Bleus some respiration room. Giroud capped the scoring for France within the 71st minute, heading dwelling Mbappe’s cross to tie him with Ecuador’s Enner Valencia atop the World Cup Golden Boot record.

France faces Denmark on Saturday whereas Australia takes on Tunisia on the identical day.

Denmark 0, Tunisia 0

Denmark held majority of the possibilities in its World Cup opener in opposition to Tunisia, however Kasper Hjuilmand’s squad needed to accept one level in a goal-less draw.

Aymen Dahmen made 5 saves for the African nation, serving to Tunisia earn a good lead to Group B motion. Kasper Schmeichel posted a one-save shutout for Denmark, making his lone save on the verge of halftime.

Schmeichel stood tall to disclaim Issam Jebali within the forty third minute, holding the rating stage heading into the interval. The previous Leicester Metropolis man had little to do within the match, however rose to the event when his crew wanted him.

Christian Eriksen’s shot within the 69th minute was repelled by Dahmen earlier than the 25-year-old obtained assist from his put up shortly after. Andreas Cornelius’ spark off a nook kick regarded destined to nestle into the underside nook, however the put up acquired in the way in which of a gap objective for Denmark.

VAR waived off a stoppage-time penalty shout from Denmark, forcing each groups to share the spoils from Al Rayyan.

Denmark will face defending World Cup winners France on Saturday whereas Tunisia takes on Australia.

Supply – sbisoccer.com