FIFA World Cup 2022: Argentina can still win it, says Pablo Zabaleta after shock defeat to Saudi Arabia

FIFA World Cup 2022: Former right-back Pablo Zabaleta said there is still a long way to go for Argentina and they can go on to lift the cup on December 18 despite having opened their campaign with a shock loss to lower-ranked Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Messi will need to inspire Argentina after their loss to Saudi Arabia (AP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Former Argentina and Manchester City right-back Pablo Zabaleta has said Lionel Messi’s men can still win the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar despite their defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening match on Tuesday. Zabaleta said it’s time for Lionel Scaloni and his team to put their heads down, forget the shock result against the Asian side and make it through to the knockouts.

Argentina were subject to one of the most shocking upsets in football World Cup history as they were beaten 2-1 by Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium. Lionel Messi put them ahead in the 10th minute from the spot but it was not enough as Saudis sruck twice in a space of 5 minutes in the second half to create shockwaves around the football world.

Saleh Al Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari scored in quick succession to shock Argentina and the quality of the second strike from Dawsari lifted Saudi Arabia, who gave it their all to keep Argentina threats away in the rest of the match. Messi and his mates were kept away from finding the back of the net by Mohammed Al Owais, who came up with a lion-hearted effort between the sticks.

Messi looked crestfallen when the final whistle was blown but the Argentina captain urged his teammates to chin up and focus on their remaining matches. It’s not going to be an easy route to the knockout for the former champions as they have to face Mexico and Poland, who played out a goalless draw on Tuesday.

“Can we still win it? Of course,” said Zabaleta. “There is still a long way to go,” he added as he cited Argentina’s run to the final in 1990 where they were beaten by Cameroon in the opening match.

MESSI’S POSITIVE CALL

Argentina paid the price for a lack of defensive discipline in those 5-minute peiod int he seocnd half. In fact, it was Messi who lost the ball in the middle led to Saleh Al Shehri finding the back of the net.

Argentina also will have to be wary of off-side traps as 3 goals were disallowed for the La Albiceleste in the first half.

“Now’s the time to be more united than ever, to show our true strength. It’s up to us to fix what we did badly,” Messi said.

The pressure will be on Argentina when they come up against Mexico on Sunday, November 27 but Messi and his men will be keen on getting points on board and keeping their World Cup campaign alive.