Tactical Analysis: Saudi Arabia were organized and brave, then became unpredictable and determined to surprise Argentina

UEFA B licensed coach Omar Lasheen provides a tactical analysis on Saudi Arabia’s recent historic victory at the 2022 World Cup, over one of the tournament favourites, Argentina.

It was one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history. Many Saudi Arabia fans will have been, undoubtedly, watching and rewatching the highlights of the game on their national holiday, sanctioned by King Salman, in celebration of an historical win for Saudis and Arabs all over the world against one of the favorites of the tournament, Argentina.

After a big chance in the first couple of minutes and a first goal in the first 10 minutes, with another couple disallowed in the first 30 minutes, many would have been forgiven to think that it would be a routine three points for the Argentinians to get their campaign underway.

As the match progressed however, we ultimately saw a well-organized Saudi team, making the match more and more difficult for Argentina, blocking spaces, and posing threats of their own.

Saudi Arabia’s Compact Midfield Block

Saudi Arabia defended in a compact 4-4-2, with the four in midfield congested in the central area of the pitch, denying Argentina any comfortable entry, and forcing them to circulate the ball from side to side. Saleh Al-Shehri (11) and Al Faraj (7) blocked the space around Paredes (5), while Al Dawsari (10) and Al Brikan (9) moved inside to create a tight 4-man midfield, to stay around Messi (10) and Rodrigo (7), who looked to drop into midfield areas where they can receive the ball. The space was further congested by the back four, who bravely closed the spaces between them as a unit and keep their distances close to their midfield line, closing both vertical and horizontal spaces to create the perfect mid-block.

On the below occasion, Gomez (17) moved inside to try receive the ball inside Saudi’s middle block, but due to the congested space, he was quickly pressed by Al Malki (8) and forced to return the ball to his back four, where again, they looked to circulate the ball to try to uncover spaces.

Argentina, however, looked to a number of solutions to try to bypass Saudi Arabia’s defensive organization.

Argentina Central Defenders committing Saudi players out of position

A way for the Argentinians to bypass the compact mid-block of Saudi Arabia was to use members of their backline to drive with the ball and commit the Saudi players to jump out of position and out of their defensive shape. This would free up spaces for the Argentina attacking players to get on the ball with more comfort and turn to attack the Saudi backline.

In this example, CB Romero (13) runs past the Saudi forward Al Shehri (11), which then attracts LW Al Dawsari (10), who commits himself to the ball carrier and vacates the space in front of Di Maria (11).

Di Maria is then able to receive the ball facing the opponent goal, in a 1v1 situation, able to make direct his run towards the Saudi box, with runners making their way towards goal. This was the most threatening route to goal.

The Saudis were, however, able to retreat quickly towards their box, on these occasions and make sure each player is marked to make it difficult to get on the end of things.

An element of determination was involved to try to minimize any comfort for the Argentina forwards inside the box and ensure a Saudi defender was first to the ball to make a clearance.

Switching Play

As Saudi Arabia were blocking the inside lanes, their mid-block did leave outside spaces open for Argentina. As Argentina circulated the ball around the back, Saudi Arabia moved across in their block with the FBs closing the spaces around the Argentinian wingers. For Argentina to create more space for their wingers, they started to switch play quicker and move the ball at a higher speed from one side to the other, making it difficult for the Saudi Arabian block to shift across quickly enough to condense the space around the winger.

On this occasion, Di Maria (11) receives the ball under pressure from Saudi left winger Al Dawsari (10), he then switches the ball via the backline to LB Tagliafico (3), also pressed, gives it back to the backline, who move it to RB Molina (26).

He now is able to find more space for Di Maria to move into a makes a through ball. This comes from the quick switching of play that intends to create bigger spaces on the sides to relieve the pressure from the wingers.

Messi Dropping Deeper To Find Space

In order for Argentina to get their more creative players on the ball with relative comfort, they needed to drop into deeper areas to find themselves in situations where they can face towards to the opponents’ goal under little pressure, and look to find passes into good spaces to threaten the Saudi goal.

Here, we can see an example of that, where Messi (10) moved from the usual high position he found himself in the opening stages of the game to move into a more deep lying position to try to play balls that can bypass the Saudi mid-block.

This particular situation went straight to the Saudi GK Al Owais, but started to threaten the space behind the Saudi backline. However, the Saudis held their lines well and were brave in keeping their distances, and not dropping too early to avoid uncovering spaces within their shape.

Saudi Arabia With The Ball

There was an obvious difference between Herve Renard’s men in possession of the ball between the first and second half.

In the first half, Saudi Arabia tried to play inside Argentina’s defensive shape by accumulating players in central areas and trying to play through Argentina.

Here, Al Dawsari (10) moves between the two central defenders and plays centrally into midfielder Al Malki (8) who tries to return the ball before the attack is broken down and Argentina can counter. This was a regular theme in the first half, with Saudi Arabia going shorter and mainly into feet, making it difficult for them to bypass and organized Argentinian defensive unit.

However, in the second half, it was a different story. Saudi Arabia looked to be more aggressive and direct from the start. Physically they have tall and strong players to cope with a box-to-box style of play, as well the determination to get to every second ball and play forward quickly. This style would also disorganize both team as the ball would be moving in an unpredictable manner. The team who would receive any loose ball would have a chance at counter attacking the opposition, creating a more open opportunity.

Every set piece was played long and fought for in the air. Saudi Arabia would try to win the ball and start playing higher up the pitch, inside Argentina’s shape, between their midfield and defensive lines.

This is perfectly shown in both their goals. The first goal is set piece on the left back area, which is contested in the air multiple times before it drops into the path of Al Malki (8), with the Argentina team unorganized.

This gives him a chance to play a long pass into the feet of Al Birkan (9), leaving him and Al Shehri (11) 2v3 in a big area. Al Birkan, lays the ball off to Al Shehri, who finishes it well into the corner past Martinez (23).

The second goal comes from the GK, Al Owais, as he receives the ball from the midfield, his first thought is to get the ball out of his feet and long into the right wing area towards Al Birkan (9).

He challenges two players and wins the ball onto right back Abdulhamid (12), who receives the ball in a dangerous area, in space and running towards the box.

He makes a cross, which is cleared to the edge of the box, where Al Abed (18) receives the ball and makes a blocked shot, that drops to Al Dawsari (10), who fights for the ball and puts himself in a position to execute a top finish past Martinez, to make it 2-1 for Saudi Arabia.

A great result for Saudi Arabia, exemplified by their bravery, organization, determination, and unpredictability. More will need to be shown against Poland and Mexico to take advantage of where they find themselves after the first set of fixtures and to ensure a place in the Round of 16 for the first time since 1994.