What Defeated Saudi Arabia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup?

At the onset of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Saudi Arabia made a surprising appearance by defeating Argentina in the opening match, reflecting their ability to challenge even top-tier teams. However, the road to success faced numerous obstacles that ultimately led to their early exit. This article delves into the strategies employed by Poland and Mexico to overcome Saudi Arabia, as well as highlighting the broader issues rooted in the kingdom's football culture.

Defeat to Poland and Mexico

Despite their initial victory over Argentina, Saudi Arabia's journey through the tournament took a definitive turn for the worse following their losses to Poland and Mexico. What were the reasons behind this debacle? Let us examine the key factors:

The Final Game Against Mexico

For the final game against Mexico, Saudi Arabia faced significant challenges. Not only had they lost three key players due to injuries, but one player was suspended. Under these conditions, the team managed to field a 3–4–3 formation, which is not ideal for defensive purposes. This tactical choice raised eyebrows, especially when considering that their next opponent, Mexico, was unlikely to provide an easy target like Argentina.

Coach Herve Renard's expectations of Mexico seemed misplaced. [1] He apparently underestimated Mexico's ability to disrupt Saudi Arabia's midfield, which had been responsible for their remarkable upset against Argentina and their somewhat unfortunate loss to Poland. Gerardo Martino's tactical approach against Saudi Arabia was a 4–2–3–1 formation, specifically designed to dismantle their midfield. This strategy proved highly effective, leading to Mexico's two-goal blitz within five minutes. [2]

The inability of Renard to reverse the situation simply by changing tactics further emphasized the failures in preparation and adaptability.

The Underlying Issues

The defeat in the 2022 World Cup was not an isolated incident but rather a continuation of Saudi Arabia's pattern of misjudgment and arrogance. Over the years, the kingdom has demonstrated a tendency to overestimate their capabilities and ignore external influences. This issue is compounded by their highly protected football ecosystem:

Rich but Isolated Football League

The Saudi Professional League (SPL) is one of the richest football leagues in the world, underpinned by vast oil wealth. This financial power enables Saudi Arabia to avoid investing in talent development or engaging with the international football community. [3] Consequently, while the SPL has witnessed lavish spending on famous players like Cristiano Ronaldo, it has also created a self-imposed isolation from the broader footballing world.

Lack of Communication and Understanding

Without the necessary communication and understanding of international football, Saudi Arabia often struggles to adapt to the strategies employed by their opponents. This reality was vividly demonstrated when Poland and Mexico effectively employed their knowledge of the Saudi league to counter their strategies. For instance, Grzegorz Krychowiak, a former player for Al-Shabab, provided Poland with crucial insights into Saudi Arabia's strengths and weaknesses, specifically on defending against their forwards Firas Al-Buraikan and Salem Al-Dawsari. Mexico, on the other hand, took time to study Saudi Arabia's game plan and identified vulnerabilities in their defense and goalkeeper Ali Al-Owais, leading to their victory.

Probable Future

Saudi Arabia's football culture, deeply rooted in a dream of supremacy, may continue to hinder their progress. The kingdom's cultural arrogance and financial overreaching may prevent them from learning from their mistakes and evolving as a footballing nation. While it remains to be seen whether they will continue to fail in the future, the case of the 2022 World Cup serves as a stark reminder of their challenges.

Conclusion

What truly defeated Saudi Arabia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup? The answer lies in a combination of arrogance, delusion, and cultural arrogance. The kingdom's triumphs have been built on unrealistic perceptions and financial might, leaving them ill-equipped to face more formidable opponents. As Saudi Arabia continues to navigate the challenges of international football, the hope is that they can learn from past failures and adapt to the evolving landscape of global sports.

References

[1] Why Saudi Arabia's 3-4-3 Formation in the 2022 World Cup Wasn't Ideal: [1] [2] Gerardo Martino's Tactical Decisions Against Saudi Arabia: [2] [3] The Wealth of the Saudi Professional League: [3]

Note: Citations are placeholders and should be replaced with actual references or sources.