Five of the biggest Fifa World Cup shocks of all time – in pictures 

Going into the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar, Argentina were touted by many pundits as one of the big favourites to lift the trophy on 18 December. With seven-time Ballon d’or winner Lionel Messi leading their attack, the Albiceleste are the reigning Copa América champions and head coach Lionel Scaloni has assembled a talented squad of players.

Kicking off their World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia, Argentina were expected to easily dispatch a team ranked 51st in the world by Fifa. But at the Lusail Stadium the Saudis had not read the script as they came from behind to pull off a shock 2-1 victory to blow group C wide open.

Saudi Arabia’s win goes down as one of the “most stunning” World Cup upsets ever, said ESPN. Unbeaten in their previous 36 games heading into the tournament, it was a “catastrophic start” for Messi and Co.

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Beginning with Saudi’s win – and in no particular order – we take a look at some of the biggest shock results in Fifa World Cup history.

1. Argentina 1 Saudi Arabia 2

2022 World Cup

Lionel Messi gave Argentina the lead from the penalty spot in this group C opener in Qatar, but goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari saw Saudi Arabia secure the three points and “spark pandemonium in the stands”, said Phil Dawkes on BBC Sport. This is the “most remarkable result” in Saudi’s Arabia’s football history, said Andy Dillon in The Sun. It is a result that has sent “shockwaves” through the Qatar World Cup.

2. England 0 United States 1

1950 World Cup

With England and the United States facing each other in group B in Qatar, this result from the 1950 World Cup will be talked about plenty in the build up to the fixture. After the war, England had a record of 23 wins, three draws, and four losses, so “excitement for World Cup success was prevalent”, said World Soccer. But the USA team, consisting of “part-time players”, shocked England with Joe Gaetjens scoring the winner in the 38th minute.

3. Italy 0 North Korea 1

1966 World Cup

At the 1966 World Cup in England, Pak Doo-Ik “wrote his name into football folklore forever” with North Korea’s winner against Italy, said ESPN. The victory at Ayresome Park in Middlesbrough saw North Korea dump the “star-studded” Italians out of the tournament and the Azzurri were “left to creep back home under the cover of night”.

4. Argentina 0 Cameroon 1

1990 World Cup

The Argentines went into Italia 90 as the World Cup holders after their victory in Mexico four years earlier. In the opening match of the tournament Cameroon had two players sent off, but their “physical approach worked” as Francois Omam-Biyik’s goal settled the match, said the Daily Mail. Despite their shock early loss, Argentina recovered to reach the final, where they were beaten 1-0 by West Germany.

5. France 0 Senegal 1

2002 World Cup

In 2002 it was the turn of Roger Lemerre’s France to suffer “the curse of the defending champions”, said Sporting News. Despite the talents of Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, the holders struggled without Zinedine Zidane in their opener. Senegal took full advantage of France’s “stage fright” and “announced themselves on the World Cup stage” with Papa Bouba Diop’s “iconic” winner.