How does Saudi Arabia’s shock win against Argentina compare to the biggest World Cup upsets?

As Lionel Messi casually stroked the ball past Saudi Arabia’s goalkeeper from the penalty spot, many assumed Argentina’s World Cup campaign was up and running. The South Americans, one of the favourites for the tournament with World Cup winner odds alongside Brazil and reigning champions France, were unbeaten in their previous 35 international matches, picking up a Copa America and Finalissima along the way.

The World Cup is the most unpredictable tournament in all of football though, and the Saudis plotted an unimaginable comeback to win 2-1 just a few hours from home in Lusail. The Green Falcons kicked off their Group C campaign in style, with the goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari earning the nation just a fifth ever victory at the World Cup.

While the antics of goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais and co were inspired, how do they compare to some of the biggest shock wins in tournament history? Read on, as we look at some of the biggest upsets in the history of the World Cup and see how they fare against the action in the Middle East this winter.

USA 1-0 England – 1950

The original World Cup upset; few could have imagined that a United States team formed of mainly amateur footballers would travel to Brazil at odds of 500/1 and beat England in the 1950 World Cup. Joe Gaetjens scored the winner in the 1-0 victory, with the Haiti born striker actually still a university student at the time.

Argentina 0-1 Cameroon – 1990

Next we go to the famous Italia ‘90 tournament, where Cameroon shocked holders Argentina with a 1-0 win against Diego Maradona’s men. Omam-Biyik, a name often overshadowed by the dancing feet of Roger Milla, was an unlikely goal scorer for Cameroon, as the streets lit up in celebration for the whole of Africa. Not many would have thought it was possible when Andre Kana Bijick was sent off with over 20 minutes still to play, but the underdogs stood firm and shut out the South Americans, earning a famous victory in Milan that is still remembered fondly to this day.

Senegal 1-0 France – 2002

The 2002 World Cup was one for the underdogs. From hosts South Korea going on a fairy-tale run which included them beating Italy, to Senegal, who beat the defending champions France in the tournament opener with a 1-0 win, courtesy of the late Papa Bouba Diop. The former Premier League star finished from close range after a great cutback to beat Fabien Barthez and give the African nation a surprise lead. It was one they defended valiantly, earning a clean sheet that would inspire them to go as far as the quarter-finals, before eventually falling short to Turkey.

Switzerland 1-0 Spain – 2010

Despite Spain’s lovely tiki-taka football going on to inspire a whole generation of football, they were given a true wake-up call when they were beaten by fellow Europeans Switzerland in the 2010 World Cup. The Barcelona and Real Madrid contingent, fresh off the back of a competitive La Liga season, were still adjusting to new surroundings in South Africa, and Gelson Fernandes punished their complacency just after the interval in their group meeting when he beat Iker Casillas to earn the Swiss a 1-0 victory.