World Cup: Argentine press recalls ‘historic debacle’ after defeat by Saudi Arabia

Argentina woke up to see their national team take part in this World Cup and spend the day with a knot in their stomach. Fans of Albicelesta, undefeated for three years and one of the favorites of this World Cup, on Tuesday witnessed the incredible success of Saudi Arabia (2: 1) against Lionel Messi, who nevertheless opened the scoring from the penalty spot, and his partners. Incredible in the eyes of the media of this country, two-time world champion (1978, 1986) in search of a third coronation in the Persian Gulf.

“A historic rout,” launches the daily La Nacion on its website, with one of its special correspondents recalling the “dazed” team that lost “at the most unexpected moment, for their debut at the World Cup, when everything should have been shining.” […] But it came to nothing, and a sandstorm darkened the horizon against this team, which had achieved the most resounding success in their history.

Because after 36 games unbeaten, the 2021 America’s Cup winner failed to get past a rough Saudi block in the second half. Albicelesta has taken on a “worldwide impact,” writes the sports newspaper Olé. “Argentina lost much more than the game against Saudi Arabia,” the newspaper wrote. He forgot his own playing principles in the locker room and started the World Cup in the most unfortunate way. »

Lionel Messi ‘infected with a low collective level’

The Buenos Aires-based daily Clarin speaks of the “slap” received by Lionel Scaloni’s group and criticizes the De Paul-Paredes midfield pair who missed their match. Tyc Sports, broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup in Argentina, also awarded the worst of its ratings – 4/10 – to the Paris Saint-Germain player on loan to Juventus Turin. Messi gets 6/10 for his goal, even if the media believes that after the Saudi takeover, “his nerves were stronger than his talent.” He was infected with a low collective level.”

” [La défaite] leaves a lot of questions, and the main one is how this group will react to adversity to which it is not accustomed,” Clarine asks. Some media such as Ole even started to wonder if Argentina could only get through with a win and a draw in the other two group matches. The crisis is already there before challenging Mexico on Saturday.