Lifestyle
12.20.2022
This remarkable World Cup stat from Saudi Arabia after Argentina’s title win
What do Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Italy, the GDR and Hungary have in common? They are the only nations to have beaten the future winner of a World Cup.
After a legendary clash (3-3, 4-2 on penalties), Argentina defeated France last Sunday in the final of the World Cup in Qatar, concluding a breathtaking tournament with many surprises, the outcome of which was undecided until the end. Among these surprises was the defeat of the winner Argentina (1-2), a month earlier, in their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia, which will remain the only nation to have defeated the Albiceleste in this tournament.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Saudi Arabia, the only team to have beaten Argentina
Who would have thought that Messi’s team would fall to the Green Falcons in their first match? Who would have thought that after that opening defeat, the Argentinians would end up lifting the Trophy? And who would have bet a penny on Herve Renard’s players to sweep Argentina aside, especially after being 1-0 down. It is also this kind of scenario that has made this Qatar World Cup so beautiful.
If Saudi Arabia did not enjoy great fortune after this stunt (a 2-0 loss to Poland and a 2-1 defeat to Mexico), it can boast a statistic that few nations can boast in 22 World Cups: KSA is now one of the five teams in the history of the tournament to have defeated the eventual winner.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Saudi Arabia join Switzerland, Italy, GDR and Hungary
Before the Saudis, the Swiss had done it by beating Spain (1-0) in their debut at the tournament in South Africa in 2010. A month later, La Roja lifted the first World Cup in their history against the Netherlands (1-0). In 1978, in their own World Cup, Argentina were defeated by Italy in the third and final group game before claiming their rightful place in the final against the Netherlands (3-1).
Four years earlier, it was West Germany who were defeated in the third group match by their eastern neighbours before lifting the trophy a few weeks later against, again, the Netherlands (2-1). The first precedent was set in 1958 when Hungary beat West Germany 8-3 in their second group game before losing to the same West Germany 2-3 in the final. This should be some consolation for the Saudis after an emotional World Cup.
popular
