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Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the World Cup's biggest upsets on Tuesday, beating Lionel Messi's Argentina 2-1. The quest to win a major title to elude Messi made a stunning start and brought back memories of Cameroon's 1-0 win over Diego Maradona's Argentina in the opening game of the 1990 World Cup.

In the second half, five minutes apart, the goals of Saleh Alshehri and Salem Aldaawsari sealed the victory for the Saudis. 10 minutes from Messi's penalty, Argentina went ahead at the beginning.

Argentina beat other World Cup rivals such as Senegal's 1–0 win over defending champions France in the 2002 tournament opener and the United States beating England by the same score in 1950.

Messi ended Argentina's 36-match unbeaten run at the Lucille Stadium in his fifth—and possibly final—World Cup. The result prevented Italy from matching the previous international record of 37 matches unbeaten, Reuters reported.

The Paris Saint-Germain star shook hands with a member of the Saudi coaching staff after the final whistle and stood with his hands on his hips near the center circle, an all-too-familiar sight for one of the greatest players yet to win. Football's biggest prize.

The unlikely victory was sealed by a somersault from Aldaosari, who brought down a high ball just inside the penalty area, turned one defender, fired a powerful shot past goalkeeper Amy Martinez, who got a hand on the ball but couldn't. Stay out of the net in the 53rd

A stunned Messi was seen celebrating in disbelief in the stands by Qatar's neighbors Saudi Arabia's green-clad fans. The alternative team of Saudi Arabia stormed the field.

Reuters reported that Saudi fans could be heard chanting: "Where is Messi? We beat him!"

Messi gave Argentina the lead from the penalty spot after the video assistant referee asked the referee to look at Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes' handling of Saud Abdulhamid's jersey.

In Saudi Arabia's first shot on goal, Saleh Alshehri found the bottom corner with an angled finish at the feet of defender Christian Romero