Bolivia 6 – 1 Argentina, April 1, 2019

 

Argentina’s legend and back-then manager Diego Armando Maradona suffered his first defeat since he sat on the bench. In what has been described as the biggest shock in the history of the qualifiers, Bolivia swept the two-time world champions 6:1 on their home turf! It is interesting that in the first three matches when Maradona led the team, Argentina did not concede a goal, and the disastrous edition in La Paz ended as one of the greatest and most embarrassing defeats in Argentina’s history.

Czechoslovakia 6 – 1 Argentina, June 15, 1958

 

It was a group stage match at World Cup 1958 in Sweden. Czechoslovakia was one of the greatest national teams in the world back then. However, these two countries were knocked out in the group stage as Northern Ireland and West Germany were better placed

teams.

It will always be remembered that this is the greatest defeat in World Cups for the national team of Argentina.

Saudi Arabia won their Group C meeting with Argentina having only taken three shots and directed two on target. WhoScored recorded La Albiceleste as attempting 15 with just six on target and three blocked. Al Owais made five saves through an inspired display in goal.

Losing to Saudi Arabia stunned Argentina’s players having suffered only a fifth defeat in 51 games under Scaloni to date. The South Americans were also unbeaten in 36 games dating back to July 2019. Yet the side FIFA ranks third in the World lost to the nation ranked 51st.

Argentina also attend the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as the reigning Copa America winners. They edged FIFA’s top-ranked nation, Brazil, in the final for Messi’s first international title. Now, Argentina have suffered one of their worst defeats at the World Cup to Saudi Arabia.

So, what are Argentina’s five worst defeats at the FIFA World Cup excluding losing to Saudi Arabia in their opening encounter in Group C for Qatar 2022? HITC Football takes a look…

Sweden dealt Argentina one of their worst World Cup defeats way back in 1934

Sweden dealt Argentina one of their worst defeats at the World Cup in 1934 at the second edition. La Albiceleste had finished as runners-up to Uruguay at the 1930 tournament after losing the final 4-2. They only briefly led their South American rivals during the first period.

Yet from taking the silver medal in 1930, Argentina went home in 1934 at the first hurdle. The tournament in Italy only featured 16 teams and started with knockout stage matches.

FIFA drew Argentina to face Sweden in Bologna on May 27 at the Stadio Littoriale. Ernesto Belis would afford La Albiceleste the perfect start, too, when he broke the deadlock after just four minutes. But it only took Sven Jonasson five minutes to draw Blagult level again.

Argentina would start quickly again when the second half commenced as Alberto Galateo restored their lead on 48 minutes. Yet while the South Americans would start quickly, the Europeans could reply as Jonasson again drew Sweden level after trailing for nine minutes.