Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia: Lionel Messi steps out of Super Eagles’ shadow but Argentina suffer Saudi shock

The three-time African champions are the favorite clients of the Paris Saint-Germain icon on the FIFA World Cup

Lionel Messi scored his seventh objective on the FIFA World Cup as Argentina stumbled to a disappointing 1-2 loss to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday afternoon.

Messi discovered the again of the online within the tenth minute, changing expertly from the penalty spot after Leandro Paredes was fouled within the field.

Saudi Arabia striker Saleh Al-Shehri, nevertheless, equalised 4 minutes into the second half.

And the Arabians accomplished the gorgeous turnaround 5 minutes later when quantity ten Salem Al Dawsari struck a magnificence for the third objective of the afternoon.

Earlier than Lionel Messi’s strike contained in the Lusail Stadium, the PSG ahead had solely managed six objectives in 19 matches on the FIFA World Cup, spanning 4 editions (2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018).

Curiously, half of Messi’s objectives (three) on the World Cup have been in opposition to Nigeria.

The Argentina legend grabbed two objectives in opposition to the Tremendous Eagles in a 3-2 win over Nigeria in a bunch match on the 2014 version. That match was the one time Lionel Messi has scored multiple objective in a single FIFA World Cup match.

Messi’s different objective in opposition to Nigeria was on the 2018 World Cup, the place he helped his group to a 2-1 victory over a Mikel Obi-led aspect. It was Messi’s solely objective within the match.

Whereas the Tremendous Eagles stay the previous Barcelona star’s clients, Messi has now scored extra objectives in opposition to different opponents than in opposition to Nigeria.