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 out to equal all-time international record in Saudi Arabia clash

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 21 November 2022

Argentina will be looking to equal an all-time international record when they face Saudi Arabia in their opening Group C clash at the 2022 World Cup on Tuesday.

The two-time world champions have been regarded by many as one of the favourites to go all the way in Qatar and lift the prestigious trophy for the first time since 1986.

Lionel Scaloni's side head into the tournament off the back of glory in the 2021 Copa America, courtesy of a 1-0 victory in the final against Brazil in July last year, before beating Italy 3-0 in the 'Finalissima' in June this year.

Indeed, their comfortable win over the Euro 2020 holders at Wembley Stadium saw La Albiceleste break a new national record of 32 games unbeaten, surpassing the previous feat of 31 matches without defeat between 1991 and 1993.

Argentina have since extended this impressive unbeaten run to 36 matches, with their latest success a 5-0 friendly victory against United Arab Emirates last Wednesday.

Argentina's Lionel Messi scores their fourth goal on November 16, 2022 © Reuters

Should Scaloni's men avoid defeat against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, they will equal the all-time unbeaten record in international football set by Italy between 2018 and 2021.

Brazil were the last team to beat Argentina back in July 2019 when they claimed a 2-0 home win in the Copa America semi-finals before going on to win the tournament, two years prior to La Albiceleste's triumph.

Argentina breezed through World Cup qualifying, winning 11 and drawing six of their 17 CONMEBOL matches and they have won each of their last five internationals across all competitions by an aggregate score of 19-0.

La Albiceleste have also not lost any of their previous four meetings with Saudi Arabia, including two victories and two draws.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, have won only three of their 16 games at the World Cup – including 11 defeats – and they have kept just one clean sheet in the process.

Should Argentina avoid defeat against Saudi Arabia, they will endeavour to break Italy's all-time unbeaten record in their second Group C match against Mexico on Saturday.