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Sports | Saudi Arabia Stuns Argentina with Late Winner in World Cup Group Stage

Pankaj Mukherjee, Senior Technology Correspondent

Pankaj Mukherjee

Senior Technology Correspondent · AI, startups & MeitY policy

2 min read

Quick summary

Saudi Arabia secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over two-time champions Argentina in a Group C encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026. This result is a major upset and significantly impacts the group standings.

It’s the headline no one saw coming: Saudi Arabia 1, Argentina 0. A massive upset just rocked the FIFA World Cup . Two-time champions Argentina, with all their pedigree, fell to Saudi Arabia in a Group C thriller.

The score comes first, and this one will be talked about for years. Argentina, a football giant, could not find a way past the Saudi defence. It was a tense match throughout. The game looked like it was heading for a goalless draw. But football, as always, had other plans. In the 88th minute, Salem Al-Dawsari delivered the knockout blow. His superb strike found the back of the net. It sent the Saudi Arabian fans into a frenzy. It silenced the many Argentina supporters.

Upset of the Tournament?

This result is an instant classic. It’s a strong contender for the biggest upset of the entire tournament. Think about it: a team of Argentina’s calibre, expected to cruise through the group stage, has stumbled early. For a nation that loves its football, this news will hit hard. Millions of football fans across India, glued to their screens, watched this drama unfold.

This World Cup has been full of surprises already. Just the other day, Kylian Mbappé’s brilliant hat-trick powered France to a 4-0 win over Australia. France, champions themselves, booked their spot in the Round of 16 early. We also saw controversy when a VAR decision went against Germany. VAR, or Video Assistant Referee, helps officials check decisions using video replays. It denied Germany a late winner against Spain in their 1-1 draw. These moments show that anything can happen on the biggest stage.

Group C Wide Open

This stunning victory completely changes Group C. Saudi Arabia now has a vital three points. They have momentum. Argentina, on the other hand, faces a tough road ahead. They must quickly regroup. Their next matches are now must-win games. The dream of lifting the trophy looks a little harder today.

Football is a game of fine margins and unexpected heroes. Salem Al-Dawsari is that hero today. The FIFA World Cup 2026 has just gotten a lot more interesting.

Key Takeaways

  • Saudi Arabia defeated two-time champions Argentina 1-0.
  • Salem Al-Dawsari scored the dramatic winning goal in the 88th minute.
  • This is an early contender for the biggest upset of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
  • The result significantly impacts the Group C standings for both teams.

People also ask

Who scored Saudi Arabia’s winning goal?
Salem Al-Dawsari scored Saudi Arabia's winning goal in the 88th minute.
When did this World Cup match happen?
2026: On , Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina 1-0 in their FIFA World Cup Group C match.
How does this affect Group C?
This dramatic win significantly impacts Group C standings, boosting Saudi Arabia's position.
Was this result expected?
No, it was completely unexpected. Saudi Arabia's 1-0 victory over powerhouse Argentina shocked the football world.
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