Lionel Messi and Argentina had their World Cup dream thrown into flux as Saudi Arabia stunned the tournament heavyweights with a shock 2-1 win in Group C.
Messi converted an early penalty and had another effort ruled out for offside — one of three Argentina efforts during the first half that fell foul of VAR, with strike partner Lautaro Martinez having a double chalked off.
It felt like a matter of time before more legal goals arrived, but the Albiceleste were stunned by two goals in the space of five minutes at the start of the second half, leaving the Copa America winners and their 36-match unbeaten run reduced to rubble.
Saleh Al-Shehri slotted home a fine 48th-minute leveller, before Salem Al-Dawsari brought the house down at a raucous Lusail Stadium with what proved to be the winner.
But who are the men who stunned a footballing giant and one of the favourites to win the whole tournament.
MORE: Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia as it happened: How Saudis stunned Messi
Who is Saleh Al-Shehri?
Al-Shehri is a 29-year-old forward who has spent the vast majority of his career playing domestic football in Saudi Arabia.
However, he has the distinction of having played and scored in Europe, thanks to a stint with Portuguese club Beira-Mar.
Al-Shehri spent a season on loan from Al-Ahli with Beira-Mar in 2012/13 and netted twice in the Primeira Liga, despite only making seven appearances. He scored on his debut from the bench to secure a 1-1 draw with Moreirense.
He returned home to join Al-Raed in 2015, where he enjoyed the most prolific spell of his club career, scoring 27 times in 80 appearances.
However, Al-Shehri seems to save his best for his country and now has 11 international goals in 21 caps. This was never truer than when he found space to arrow a cool left-footed finish across Emiliano Martinez on Tuesday.
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On the biggest stage, Saleh Alshehri did not miss 💪🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/OWF9RxSftD
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 22, 2022
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The Green Falcons have turned it around!! 👀
Saudi Arabia come out firing at the start of the second half with this equaliser against Argentina… ⚡️#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/xvOVyBxaXW
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 22, 2022
MORE: Lionel Messi and Argentina 36-game unbeaten run ends at World Cup
Who is Salem Al-Dawsari?
Experienced left-winger Salem Al-Dawsari made an even briefer foray into European football.
Under a collaborative agreement between the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and Spain’s La Liga prior to the 2018 World Cup, he joined Villarreal on loan, making a solitary appearance from the bench in a 2-2 draw with Real Madrid on the final day of the 2017/18 season.
In Saudi terms, Al-Dawsari is a one-club man, having played 309 times for Al-Hilal, claiming 71 goals and 62 assists, as per Transfermarkt.
The 31-year-old is a five-time Saudi Pro League champion, with 45 goals and 35 assists to his name in the top flight.
However, his slippery shuffle inside and immaculate curling strike into the top corner to sink Messi and Argentina will now forever define a decorated career having prompted one of the biggest World Cup upsets ever.
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SAUDI ARABIA TAKES THE LEAD 😱 pic.twitter.com/e9nZLj8g5b
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 22, 2022
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Whatever Hervé Renard said to his players at half-time, it worked!! 🤩@SaudiNT_EN have gone 2-1 up against one of the competition favourites Argentina with this belter!! 🚀#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/uHdXpjUAdm
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 22, 2022