World Cup

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World Cup | Group Stage

Nov 22, 2022 at 10am UK

Argentina
1 - 2
Saudi Arabia

Messi (10' pen.)

FT(HT: 1-0)

Al-Shehri (48'), Al-Dawsari (53')
Al-Malki (67'), Albulayhi (75'), Al-Dawsari (79'), Abdul Hamid (82'), Al Abid (88'), Al-Owais (90+2')

Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia: A look at both teams' record at previous World Cups

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter and Matt Law, Football Editor | 21 November 2022

Ahead of the World Cup clash between Argentina and Saudi Arabia, Sports Mole looks back at how both nations have fared at previous editions of the tournament.

Not since the days of Diego Maradona have Argentina got their hands on the World Cup trophy, but they will renew their quest for a third title when they take on Saudi Arabia in their 2022 opener on Tuesday.

A squad led by Lionel Messi are among the favourites to go all the way in Qatar, an achievement which would mark the crowning achievement of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's illustrious career.

They were certainly be fancied to at least open their campaign in triumphant fashion against a Saudi Arabian team that have only ever made it past the group stage once, back in 1994.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how both sides have fared at World Cups in the past.

ARGENTINA

Best finish: Winners (1978, 1986)

Argentina's Diego Maradona lifts the World Cup trophy after helping his team to the 1986 title © Reuters

Argentina's two triumphs at the World Cup occurred over an eight-year period, with their first in 1978 inspired by Mario Kempes who scored twice in the final to beat the Netherlands 3-1 in Buenos Aires.

Kempes, who won the Golden Boot after scoring six goals, was also rewarded with the Golden Ball and he is one of only three Argentina players to win the accolade, preceding Diego Maradona in 1986 and Lionel Messi in 2014. Indeed, Maradona was the standout performer at the 1986 World Cup, with Argentina beating West Germany 3-2 in the final held in Mexico City.

Argentina have since been runners-up twice, with Germany getting their revenge on both occasions with 1-0 victories, firstly in 1990 when an 85th-minute penalty from Andreas Brehme's prevented La Albiceleste from retaining their crown, and again in 2014 when an extra-time winner from Mario Gotze helped the Germans lift their fourth world title. Argentina also lost to hosts Uruguay in the very first World Cup final back in 1930.

La Albiceleste have been present at 16 of the previous 21 World Cups, with the 1970 edition the only time they failed to qualify, while they withdrew from the tournaments in 1938, 1950 and 1954.

Argentina, who have only failed to progress from the group stage once (2002), have won 47, drawn 10 and lost 24 of their 81 World Cup matches in total.

SAUDI ARABIA

Best finish: Round of 16 (1994)

As mentioned, this will be Saudi Arabia's sixth appearance in the finals of a World Cup, and they have been eliminated in the group stage in four of their previous five participations.

The national side failed to win a match in the 1998, 2002 or 2006 competitions; they did record one victory at the 2018 World Cup, beating Egypt, but it was not enough to qualify from Group A.

Saudi Arabia did reach the round of 16 back in 1994, though, which is their best performance at a World Cup to date.

Having finished second in Group F, which included wins over Morocco and Belgium, the Green Falcons qualified for the next round in second position, but their journey was ended by Sweden in the first knockout round.

In the tournament, Saudi Arabia became just the second Arab team to reach the round of 16 of a World Cup after Morocco, who had managed to progress to that stage in 1986.