- Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986.
- At Qatar 2022, it made history in a different way.
- Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in Group C was the biggest World Cup upset.
Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986, but at Qatar 2022, it made history in a different way.
Gracenote calls Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in Group C the biggest World Cup upset.
Many expected Argentina, led by third-ranked Lionel Messi, to sweep Saudi Arabia with 48 places separating the two teams in the world rankings.
Messi, one of the world’s greatest players, will likely play his last World Cup.
The Argentina captain scored an early penalty, but Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari tied the game.
Al Dawsari’s long-range goal and acrobatic celebration will be remembered as an “I-was-there” moment for fans.
According to Gracenote, the USA’s win against England in 1950 was the previous most surprising World Cup win.
Saudi Arabia’s chance of winning Tuesday is 8.7%, hence the Green Falcons are ranked first.
Gracenote uses its “own football ranking system to determine the most unexpected upsets.”
Cameroon 1-0 Argentina
Diego Maradona wowed the world in 1986, when Argentina won its second World Cup.
Maradona guided Napoli to the Serie A triumph four years later, when Italy hosted the World Cup.
Cameroon had been eliminated in the group stage of that year’s Africa Cup of Nations and had lately recalled 38-year-old Roger Milla.
Cameroon fouled Maradona every time he touched the ball, ending the game with nine players.
Francois Omam-second-half Biyik’s header gave Cameroon the win.
Senegal 1-0 France
France won the 1998 World Cup at home, beating Brazil 3-0 in the final. Two years later, it won Euro 2000 and was a favorite to retain its championship in South Korea and Japan.
Senegal’s first World Cup game came against France.
The former French colony was game. Senegal went for the throat of its favored opponent with El Hadji Diouf, Khalilou Fadiga, and Aliou Cisse.
Papa Bouba Diop scored the game’s sole goal to give Senegal a surprising victory.
France finished last in its group and missed the knockout stages.
Algeria 2-1 West Germany
Algeria, another debutant, faced West Germany in a group that changed the World Cup.
West Germany was a tournament favorite after winning every qualifying match. Manager Jupp Derwall stated he’d “go on the first train back to Munich” if they lost.
Derwall’s hubris backfired when Algeria beat West Germany.
Rabah Madjer gave North Africa the lead in the 54th minute, but Karl-Heinz Rummenigge tied it. Algeria retook the lead from the kickoff.
Despite the legendary triumph, Algeria didn’t advance because West Germany beat Austria 1-0, putting both European teams ahead of Algeria.
Since the “Disgrace of Gijón,” World Cup group matches are played simultaneously.
USA 1-0 England
Before the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, football had been totally professional in England for decades, but this was the English team’s first appearance.
The US team included a grave digger, a dishwasher, and a postman.
Joe Gaetjens’ looping header near the conclusion of the first half gave the US the win.
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