The World Cup of upsets? Germany suffer shock defeat to Japan
Germany suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.
Shock Sport News
Saudis enjoy image boost from shock win over Argentina
DOHA, Qatar: Saudi Arabians enjoyed a holiday on Wednesday (Nov 23) to celebrate toppling mighty Argentina at the World Cup - but the benefits of their giantkilling go far beyond some unexpected free time.
Japan pull off World Cup shock, score late to beat four-time champions Germany
Japan stunned Germany 2-1 in their World Cup opener on Wednesday, punishing the four-time champions for not taking their chances after they dominated the first half.
Shock Saudi win pays out for one prescient punter
LONDON: The biggest of World Cup shocks paid out for at least one prescient punter who correctly predicted Saudi Arabia would stun Lionel Messi's Argentina 2-1 in their opening match in Qatar on Tuesday (Nov 22).
Argentina's shock loss to Saudi Arabia crashes Buenos Aires breakfast party
BUENOS AIRES : Argentines woke up early in the capital Buenos Aires to cheer on their team in the soccer World Cup over morning pastries and coffee, but were left with a bitter taste after the team was humbled in a shock loss to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia shock Messi’s Argentina at World Cup
DOHA: Saudi Arabia stunned Lionel Messi’s Argentina on Tuesday, beating the two-time winners 2-1 in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. Salem Al-Dawsari hit a stunning winner to sink the red-hot favorites, bringing the South American side’s 36-match unbeaten run to a shuddering halt. The win was fully deserved after Saudi Arabia came from behind after Saleh Al-Shehri canceled out an early Lionel Messi penalty. Playing a risky high defensive line, the athletic Saudis rode their luck in the first half when three times Argentina had the ball in the net only to be denied by an offside call. But in a chaotic start to the second half, the Saudis swarmed all over Lionel Scaloni’s team and scored twice as the Arab nation beat the South Americans for the first time in five attempts. In a first half dominated by Argentina, it seemed only a matter of time before Saudi Arabia’s risky defensive tactics would cost them. That condensed the game into a sliver of green turf around the halfway line as the Asian side happily allowed Argentina’s back four to pass the ball among themselves. It seemed Saudi Arabia were facing a long afternoon after VAR intervened to award a penalty when Saud Abdulhamid wrestled Leandro Paredes to the ground in the box at a corner. Messi waited for goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais to dive to his left before cooly rolling the ball into the opposite corner. But if the Saudis felt aggrieved at the technology, it would later help keep them in the game.
Roles reversed as Wallabies look to shock Ireland
While the gulf between Ireland and Australia in rugby's world rankings may not necessarily reflect reality, it's a stark reminder of how quickly the game has changed in either country.
Iran’s World Cup hopes rise from Brentford’s shock win over Man City
If Saman Ghoddos needed confirmation that Iran can “make history” at the World Cup then he got it at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.