2022 World Cup favorites Argentina missed the chance of equaling Italy’s world-record unbeaten streak after being humbled by Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their opening group C game in Qatar to become the first upset of the tournament.

Italy has the record for the longest unbeaten run in international football with 37 games spanning from October 10,2018-October 6, 2021.

The two-time World Cup winners who entered the tournament one game behind Italy’s record with 36 games unbeaten, were overwhelming favorites to move level, especially following their 5-0 thrashing of Nigeria in their warm-up game in Qatar.

That dream would however remain a hopeful thought after the number 51-ranked Saudis went “off script” to create their own history against the number three-ranked Argentines.

 Second-half goals from Saleh Alshehri and Salem Aldawsari in minutes 48 and 53 erased Argentina’s advantage by Lionel Messi’s 10th-minute penalty as well as their hopes of a spectacular record in the World Cup.

The loss to the middle eastern team not only creates one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, but brings an end to a marvelous run by Argentina which started back in 2019 and included 27 wins and nine drawn results in their previous 36 games.

 The feat that also saw Messi lift his first major trophy for his country following their spectacular display ironically against European Champions Italy to win the 2022 Finalisma; CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions 3-0 at the Wembley Stadium in June.

Argentina now has the second and sixth longest unbeaten streaks in international football, having previously gone 31 matches without loss from 1991-2003.

Algeria, Spain and Brazil all share the third longest runs in world football with 35 games unbeaten each to round out the top five and six.

Argentina’s first opportunity to rebuild that record will come as early as Saturday, November 26 when they play Mexico in their second group game, before facing Poland on November 30 in their final group C game.