Saudi Arabia provide blueprint to minnows in shock success

Saudi Arabia produced one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history on Tuesday as the 22-1 Green Falcons beat two-time winners Argentina.

In that game and in Tunisia’s 0-0 draw against Denmark, the underdogs showed the importance of pressing in modern football.

In stark contrast to the limp efforts of Qatar and Iran, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia pressed and counter pressed their more illustrious opponents and used physicality to disrupt their intricate passing patterns.

A high line from Saudi Arabia caught out Argentina, who three times in the opening half failed to bide their time and had goals ruled out for offside.

Their search for a plan B was fruitless as they resorted to desperate crosses into the box which were dealt with time and again by the spirited Saudis.

Lionel Messi and co were a little unlucky in that they conceded to two excellent finishes. However, coach Lionel Scaloni will have been disappointed with the way in which his side failed to create many clear-cut chances despite taking an early lead from the penalty spot.

For Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard, the victory was a vindication of his decision to take the game to Argentina and surely a blueprint for other smaller nations to aim to replicate.

The lesson for superior teams to take from the shock result is surely that they need a viable alternative if plan A doesn’t work. Kieffer Moore, anyone?

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