Saudi Arabia
The team that once beat Messi
They beat Messi's Argentina in 2022 — and the man who scored it is still their talisman.
Watchability3/5
Drama4/5
Star power2/5
Title shot1/5
Team rating
71TEAM
- Attack70
- Midfield71
- Defense72
Next matches
- Next upvs SpainMercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaJun 21
- vs Cape VerdeNRG Stadium, HoustonJun 26
The read
Saudi Arabia's whole identity rests on one stunning moment: beating Lionel Messi's Argentina 2-1 at the 2022 World Cup, one of the great shocks ever — and the man who scored the winner, Salem Al-Dawsari, is still their . They held Uruguay to a 1-1 draw thanks to nine saves from goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais.
The fan’s readThe upset specialists whose whole identity is beating Messi’s Argentina in 2022 — and the man who scored it is still here. Next up: Spain, and the upset they have been promising to repeat.
The cast
- Georgios DonisGreek coach long familiar with Saudi club football, appointed weeks before the tournament after Hervé Renard — who led the 2022 Argentina upset — was sacked in April 2026manager
- Salem Al-Dawsari ★The man who scored THE goal that beat Messi's Argentina in 2022.ClubAl-Hilal
- Firas Al-BuraikanSaudi Arabia's emerging force — a striker stepping into the spotlight.ClubAl-Ahli
- Mohammed Al-OwaisA shot-stopper who made NINE saves to steal a point off Uruguay.ClubAl-Hilal
- Saud AbdulhamidThe European export — a Saudi full-back testing himself in France.ClubLens
- Abdulelah Al-AmriA defender who poaches goals from set pieces — a dual threat.ClubAl-Nassr
Key moments
- 2022Beat Messi 2-1At the 2022 World Cup Saudi Arabia beat Lionel Messi's Argentina 2-1, ending Argentina's 36-match unbeaten run; Salem Al-Dawsari scored the winner — and Argentina still went on to win the whole tournament.
- 1994The 1994 runOn their World Cup debut in 1994 Saudi Arabia reached the Round of 16 — their best finish ever — before losing to Sweden.
- 1994Al-Owairan's solo goalIn a 1994 group-stage match Saeed Al-Owairan ran nearly the length of the pitch to score against Belgium, a goal so good it is regularly compared to Maradona's 1986 masterpiece.