Argentina will take on Saudi Arabia in a match that many expect to be all one way traffic. Here's all you need to know ahead of Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia.

Fresh off winning the 2021 Copa America, Argentina will turn their attention towards winning their third World Cup this year in Qatar. La Albiceleste's journey starts with a group stage match against Saudi Arabia in a game that many have expected to be fully one-way traffic. While it has been 36 years since Argentina last won the World Cup, this team, spearheaded by seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, are widely viewed as among the favorites to clinch the coveted prize this December.

Argentina are presently on an impressive 36-game unbeaten streak across all comps, with their last defeat taking place back in 2019 when they were beaten 2-0 by Brazil during that year's Copa America. Notably, they qualified for this year's tournament sans winning a single game and are presently on a five match winning streak that includes a resounding 5-0 win over the UAE in their final pre-tournament warm-up match.

In 2014, Argentina were painfully close to ending their decades long wait for their third World Cup, but were beaten in the final 1-0 by Germany, thanks to a late goal from Mario Gotze. Four years after that, their run ended rather abruptly during the round of 16 by eventual champions France. However, this is a very different team from back then, and confidence is certainly high among fans that this year just could be the year in which Argentina finally are able to get over the finish line.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, who have not qualified for the round of 16 in nearly 30 years, will simply be doing their utmost best to keep the score-line as respectable as possible. Not much is expected of the Falcons, who have been on the wrong end of some rather embarrassing results at World Cups. Back in 2002, they were absolutely humiliated by Germany 8-0, and were unfortunately crushed 5-0 at the 2018 World Cup in their group stage opener, which was their first appearance in over a decade.

With Poland and Mexico expected to battle it out for second place, Saudi Arabia's chances of getting out of their group appear to be slim to none. Although the last meeting between Argentina and Saudi Arabia ended as a stalemate, that was a decade ago in 2012, and barring a shocking collapse of epic proportions, it is safe to say that Argentina should cruise to a comfortable victory and look ahead towards their next opponents.

Team news: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia

Argentina: Joaquin Correa has had to leave the squad due to injury, with Thiago Almada being drafted in to replace him. There were concerns about Lionel Messi's fitness after the superstar didn't train with his teammates at the weekend, but it could be just to give the 35-year-old a rest. However, both Lisandro Martinez and Exequiel Palacios should be fit to return after being restricted to light training over the weekend.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia were dealt a major blow with experienced attacker Fahad Al-Muwallad ruled out after a drugs conviction. Elsewhere, Hassan Tambakti and Riyadh Sharahili are in doubt due to various injury concerns.

Match facts: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia

  • This will be the first World Cup meeting between Argentina and Saudi Arabia
  • However, the two sides have met before, with Argentina, not surprisingly, being undefeated in their last four meetings (W2 D2)
  • La Albiceleste have qualified for at least the round of 16 in 12 of their last 13 World Cup competitions
  • Argentina have lost three of their last five matches at the World Cup (W1 D1), which is as many as in their past 24 ties (W16 D5)
  • Saudi Arabia have won only three of their 16 matches at the FIFA World Cup (D2 L11)
  • The Falcons have also only qualified for the round of 16 once (in 1994) 

Broacdast info: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia

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Match details, result and original broadcast info

Argentina 1 - 2 Saudi Arabia

November 22, 2022 5:00amLusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)

This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.

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