Argentina have THREE goals ruled out in first-half of Saudi Arabia clash… including tightest offside call of World Cup

ARGENTINA should have been out of sight by half-time in their opening World Cup game against Saudia Arabia.

But Lionel Messi and Co went into the break just 1-0 up after having THREE goals disallowed for offside.

6

6

6

Messi himself opened the scoring from the penalty spot with 10 minutes on the clock.

Although finding the back of the net from open play proved to be too much for Argentina as they were haunted by the offside flag.

Messi, playing in his last World Cup, thought he had a second when coolly slotting home past Saudi keeper Mohammed Alowais.

But he was denied a second of the tournament by the offside flag.

READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS

QATAR LATEST

Messi WINS World Cup with Argentina, Southgate staying as England boss

HUGE DEAL

Premier League: Get £40 in free bets and bonuses when staking £10 with 888Sport

The flag then didn't go up when Lautaro Martinez scored with a cheeky chip... but VAR did then rule it out by a matter of inches.

And Martinez netted again minutes later, only for the assistant referee to correctly flag for offside straight away.

Saudi Arabia lived dangerously throughout with their high line, and Argentina's hat-trick of disallowed goals prompted a number of hilarious memes on social media.

Fans cheekily joked that Cristiano Ronaldo was in the VAR control room to stop his old rival Messi from finding the back of the net.

Most read in Football

XMAS PEEVE

Last Xmas Man Utd fans gave Ratcliffe their hearts - this year they're in tears

EUR KIDDING

England's elite would jump at escape to a Euro Super League as their rule ends

MOR OR LESS

Ruben Amorim has theory on who's behind bombshell Marcus Rashford interview

COBBLED TOGETHER

Prem legend returns to management after six years out at Northampton

FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS

6

6

While another ribbed: "Argentina has scored more offside goals in the first half than Ronaldo has actual goals this season."

Ronaldo has in fact scored three goals in all competitions this season for Manchester United - the same number of goals Argentina had ruled out for offside in the first half against Saudi Arabia.

Others fans were left in staggered disbelief that Messi and Co had so many goals ruled out for offside in their World Cup opener.

One said on Twitter: "Does Argentina know about the offside rule?"

And another quipped: "What is wrong with Argentina and offside?"

Argentina were made to pay for it after the break as two quick-fire goals from Saudi Arabia stunned the South Americans.

6