Lionel Messi calls on Argentina to be 'united' after shock World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia

South Americans stunned 2-1 in their opening group match on Tuesday

Salem Al Dawsari of Saudi Arabia, front, celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal in their 2-1 victory against Argentina during the 2022 World Cup at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday, November 22, 2022. EPA

Saudi Arabia celebrate their second goal by Salem Al Dawsari against Argentina at the Lusail Stadium. AFP

Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari after scoring his side's second goal. AP

Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts during the match against Saudi Arabia. Getty

Saudi Arabia's Saleh Al Shehri, left, celebrates after scoring the equaliser against Argentina. AFP

Crowd attendance is shown on a giant screen at the Lusail Stadium. Getty

Saudi Arabia's goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais saves a shot from Argentina. AP

Saudi Arabia's Nawaf Al Abid fights for the ball with Argentina's Enzo Fernandez. Reuters

Saleh Al Shehri, right, scores his team's opening goal. EPA

Angel Di Maria of Argentina looked stunned. Getty

Lionel Messi after scoring the first goal. AFP

Lionel Messi has called on Argentina to be "united" as the South American giants look to regroup after their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Argentina entered the tournament on a 36-match unbeaten run and billed as one of the favourites for the title – a status they looked set to live up to when Messi slotted home a penalty in the 10th minute, during a first half the Copa America champions dominated and which saw three goals disallowed for offside.

However, the second half inside the Lusail Stadium was a different story entirely as a Saudi side which pressed superbly pulled level shortly after the break through Saleh Al Shehri. Only five minutes later, Saudi Arabia were ahead as Salem Al Dawsari struck the second with a superb curling effort.

A combination of heroic defending and a generally blunt Argentina attack saw Saudi Arabia produce one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history.

Reeling from a loss that threatens to derail their bid for a first World Cup triumph since 1986, Messi has demanded Argentina stick together and respond against Mexico in their next Group C match.

"We are a united group and now is the time to be united," the Argentina captain said. "We have to show that we are strong. We haven't suffered a defeat in a long time and now we have to prepare what comes against Mexico."

Lionel Messi has urged Argentina to bounce back against Mexico. Reuters

Messi's teammate, Angel Di Maria, admitted Argentina had been shell-shocked by the result, particularly after their three disallowed goals in the first half.

"We could easily have won 5-0, but they came two or three times and put them in," Di Maria said. "The offsides were always very close. We work on it and sometimes wanting to work before causes you to be ahead."

The goalless draw between Mexico and Poland – during which Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty – means the group is very much open, and Di Maria echoed Messi's stance by urging Argentina to return to winning ways in their next game.

"At some point it could happen," Di Maria said in reference to the end of Argentina's unbeaten run. "Now Mexico is coming and hopefully we will get the three points."

Argentina v Saudi Arabia player ratings

ARGENTINA RATINGS: Emiliano Martinez 5: Literally not a thing to do until picking ball out of net in 48th minute when Al Shehri’s finish found the bottom corner. Got hand to second goal but couldn’t keep Al Dawsari’s effort out. Getty

Nahuel Molina 6: Atletico right-back was solid defensively but failed to offer team any width going forward. Getty

Cristian Romero 4: Tottenham defender couldn’t stop Al Shehri scoring as Saudi attacker fired shot through his legs at start of second half to make it 1-1. Didn’t look fully fit and hooked before hour mark. EPA

Nicolas Otamendi 6: Veteran centre-half repeatedly refused to accept a Saudi handshake after one first-half foul. Read danger well to stop opposition getting through on goal with well-timed sliding tackle just before break. Getty

Nicolas Tagliafico 5: Lyon full-back found himself under a bit of pressure in first half as the Saudis found a bit of joy down his flank. Almost levelled after ball rebounded off his shin but keeper scrambled out for corner. Getty

Rodrigo De Paul 4: Midfielder left apologising to teammates after gifting possession to Saudis in poor first half when he also gave away some cheap free-kicks and blasted chance spectacularly high over bar. Will be disappointed at how easily Al Shehri ghosted through for second goal and how team lost midfield battle in general. AFP

Leandro Paredes 5: Juve midfielder was pulled down in box to earn side early penalty. Sprayed some lovely passes around but influence waned as match went on and substituted soon after Saudi’s second goal. AFP

Alejandro Gomez 4: Blazed ambitious effort way over after 20 minutes which was extent of his attacking influence. Couldn’t get grip on midfield as Saudis pressured so well from start to finish. AP

Angel Di Maria 6: Surprisingly quiet first when he failed to make any impact in game. Better after break with his crossing but Argentina failed to take advantage. One lovely pass with outside of foot almost found Martinez but opponents scrambled out for corner. AFP

Lionel Messi 6: Should have scored very early goal but denied by decent keeper save. Did roll home penalty to open scoring after 10 minutes. Scored again after 22 minutes but caught offside. Sent poor free-kick wide and weak header straight at keeper in second half. Looked shell-shocked at end. EPA

Lautaro Martinez 6: Striker twice finished confidently in first half but was caught offside for both – the first being incredibly tight but still right call. Non-existent as threat after break as Argentina failed to turn up for fight. AP

SUBS: Lisandro Martinez (On for Romero 59’) 6: Saw shot that deflected off teammate Tagliafico saved by Al Owais. One wild back-pass looked like it might catch out Martinez but goalkeeper managed to control with chest. AP

Julian Alvarez (On for Gomez 59’) 5: Manchester City attacker brought on as one of three subs as Argentina were forced to chase game. Had shot cleared off line in injury-time but off-side flag had gone up anyway. Headed very late chance gently into keeper’s hands. AP

Enzo Fernandez (On for Paredes 59’) 5: Headed one chance well over bar from corner. Reuters

Marcos Acuna (On for Tagliafico 71’) 5: Came on with team chasing game but substitute left-back was never going to be the answer to woes in midfield and up front. Reuters

SAUDI ARABIA RATINGS: Mohammed Al Owais 8: Al Hilal goalkeeper saved well from Messi in second minute, sent the wrong way by same player from penalty soon after. Fine stop to deny Tagliafico from close range as Argentina chased leveller. Booked for venting at referee late on. AP

Saud Abdulhamid 7: Handed Argentina early penalty after VAR spotted him hauling down Paredes in box. Both Saudi full-backs not afraid of pushing forward although final ball was sometimes lacking. Booked in second half when he was outstanding at helping keep opposition at bay. Getty

Hassan Al Tambakti 9: At heart of Saudi defence that played dangerous game with very high line that worked, just, in first half as Argentina were denied three goals due to off-side. Magnificent sliding tackle on Messi with Argentina star nearly through on goal had defender cheering like a goal. Immense at the back. Reuters

Ali Al Bulayhi 8: Threw himself into tackles and headers but was certainly playing risky business with that high defensive line. Booked for time-wasting with 15 minutes to go but another star showing in defence as the team’s tactics paid off – and in some style. Getty

Yasser Al Shahrani 8: Had large Saudi contingent in stands on their feet with one sliding challenge to win ball in first half and was perfect example of effort his team put into this game. Took horrific knee to face off own keeper late on and had to be carried off. AFP

Abdulellah Al Malki 7: Clumsy challenge on Gomez handed free-kick to Argentina in dangerous spot just before break, that ended with De Paul blazing chance well over. First booking of game for sliding tackle on Otamendi in 66th minute. Another who put in incredibly hard-working shift. Getty

Mohamed Kanno 7: Showed some nice footwork at times, drawing some fouls from opposition, but was furious when referee awarded free-kick against him in dangerous spot for nothing challenge on Messi that the same player sent high and just wide. AFP

Saleh Al Shehri 7: Excellent run and left-footed finish to level the scores just after half-time with what was his team’s first effort on goal to send crowd wild. AFP

Salman Al Faraj 6: The Saudi captain picked up knock in the first half and tried desperately to run it off but eventually limped off just before break, receiving a healthy applause from around ground. Shame as had been playing part in keeping pressure on Argentina. AP

Salem Al Dawsari 8: Saudi’s key attacker skipped between two players with one surging run just before half-time before going down in box looking for penalty – rightly ignored. Showed brilliant skill to earn himself space and curl home a lovely finish to put his team 2-1 up. AP

Feras Al Brikan 6: Ran his socks off in attack and played his part for team ranked 51st in Fifa rankings, albeit without any goalscoring opportunities to speak of but provide assist for Al Shehri goal. Reuters

SUBS: Nawaf Alabid (On for Al-Faraj 45+4’) 5: Had goal-bound strike blocked just before Saudi’s second goal. Booked in second half. Substituted himself – unclear if tactical or injury. Getty

Sultan Al Ghannam (On for Al-Shehri 78’) N/A. Mohammed Alburayk (On for Nawaf 90+8’) N/A. AP