Green Falcons pull off one of World Cup’s biggest upsets.
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
We have two reports from Prost. David Collins has the story for Prost International, and Rusty Silber has it for Prost Amerika. This is one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history and along the lines of 1990 when Cameroon stunned then defending-champion Argentina in 1990 in the opening match of that tournament. Argentina still went on to make the Final that year and Spain won the 2010 World Cup despite losing their opener to Switzerland. However, it will sting for the Albiceleste for a while–though the sting will lessen if they get results over Mexico and Poland.
For the Green Falcons, no one expected much apart from their most ardent supporters. But they and other Arab Nations are looking to turn their games into home games in Qatar. It is a great moment for Saudi Arabian soccer and gives them a good chance to make it to the knockout stages for the second time in their history after 1994.
Denmark 0-0 Tunisia
Tunisian fans also looked to turn the Education City Stadium their home stadium against Denmark, and nearly pulled off the victory but for an offside decision and later a remarkable save by Kasper Schmeichel. Andreus Cornelius struck the post late and had a late penalty appeal turned down by VAR (correctly). The Danes struggled against the tenacious Carthage Eagles who looked better value and outshot the Danes 13-11.
Aissa Laidouni was the standout for Tunisia with his work ethic and Hannibal Mejbri is showing his potential as well coming on as a sub.
This and the previous match should serve as caution that the Arab Nations in this tournament are looking to make a home field advantage from their matches and that may give them a fighting chance (or more) when few fancied any of them (including us). Croatia should take caution on Wednesday against Morocco.
Mexico 0-0 Poland
One team lacked a goalscorer and one team had a goalscorer who continues to lack goals at the World Cup. Robert Lewandowski won Poland a penalty in the 56th minute after being taken down by Hector Moreno, but his spot kick was stopped by Guillermo Ochoa. Lewandowski, one of the best strikers in the World, continues to be 0 for the World Cup. It turned out to be the only shot on target for Poland while Henry Martin, and later Raul Jimenez (back from injury) were unable to create for El Tri.
It was a second 0-0 draw on the day which doubled the total from the last World Cup and was the first to feature two on the same day since June 25th, 2010, when Portugal and Brazil and Switzerland and Honduras played to 0-0 draws.
France 4-1 Australia
It started swimmingly for the Socceroos as Craig Goodwin opened the scoring on nine minutes, but then reality and Olivier Giroud happened. Giroud became the oldest European to score since 1994 at age 36 and drew level with Thierry Henry for the all-time scoring mark for France at 51. Kylian Mbappe and Adrien Rabiot also scored for Les Bleus.
The French came into Qatar banged up and without Karim Benezma, Paul Pogba, and a host of others (which now includes Lucas Fernandez). However, they still have Giroux, Mbappe, Rabiot, Antoine Griezmann, and Ousmane Dembele. It’s the sort of depth that Australia ultimately could not match.
Should Australia be less naive in defending, they could maybe get a result against Tunisia and Denmark if the Danes played the way they did on Tuesday.
Next Up: A tasty quadruple-header with Croatia vs. Morocco (4am CT, FS1), Germany vs. Japan (7am CT, FS1), Spain vs. Costa Rica (10am CT, FOX), and Belgium vs. Canada (1pm CT, FS1)
