Lionel Messi and Argentina 36-game unbeaten run ends at World Cup: How Saudi Arabia denied Albiceleste's world record bid

Argentina's unbeaten run of 36 matches, the world's longest active undefeated streak, is over after one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history against Saudi Arabia.

Fancied by many people to not just win their opening Group C game in Lusail, but the whole tournament, the Albiceleste appeared to be closing in on the international football world record. Their victory in a 5-0 pre-World Cup warmup over the United Arab Emirates on Nov. 16 took them to the brink of history and the chance to match Italy's record streak.

But Saudi Arabia did not read the script. Their two goals in five minutes put Argentina on the back foot, and then a brilliant defensive and midfield performance secured a famous victory.

MORE: As it happend: How Argentina suffered huge WC upset against Saudi Arabia

Their run, which began in 2019, had seen the Argentina national side win Copa America 2021, beating Brazil 1-0 on their home soil, and also clinch a berth to the 2022 World Cup.

It had been a remarkable stretch from Lionel Scaloni's side, and appeared also the ideal form to be carrying into the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Argentina qualified for the tournament with multiple games to spare due to their impressive form, sealing a spot nearly a year before the opening match of the tournament.

But come the big dance, Argentina flopped. And hard. Goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari turned the game on its head, after Lionel Messi had put Argentina ahead in the 10th minute from the penalty spot.

And with that 2-1 defeat, the streak was snapped.

Argentina unbeaten streak ends at 36

Argentina's impressive run of results had included three games against Brazil. Two of those were wins for Lionel Messi's side, including the 2021 Copa America final, and one that ended in a draw. Of five games against Chile, two were wins, while three were draws.

Not included in the unbeaten run was the game against Brazil that was scheduled to take place in September 2021. That game was suspended after a few minutes of play, when Brazilian health authorities took to the pitch because four Argentina players broke COVID-19 quarantine regulations by taking part in the game. Scaloni's side didn't let that throw them off however, as they continued their impressive qualifying run and their unbeaten streak had remained uninterrupted.

Longest unbeaten streaks in international football

So it's still Italy atop the all-time longest undefeated streak list. 

The list of longest unbeaten streaks in global football includes some of the world's great footballing nations, featuring both European and South American powerhouses.

By its own estimation, defending AFCON 2019 champion Algeria was in this elite company though the world body FIFA didn't see it quite the same way.

The issue of which matches count and which don't has come up in the case of other teams.

MORE: FIFA disputes Algeria unbeaten streak ended in early 2022

Italy's record streak in the 1930s, which was unmatched for over 50 years, discarded a match that the Italians were losing to Austria 2-0 before it was abandoned due to crowd trouble.

What's controversial about Brazil's run (1993-96) is that many argue the streak-snapping loss to Mexico should not have counted since it came in the 1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup final with what was practically a Brazil Under-23 team preparing to play in the Olympics.

Removing the three wins and one loss that Brazil suffered in that 1996 Gold Cup, Brazil would have reached 40 games unbeaten before its following full-strength loss. But since FIFA officially counted those Gold Cup matches as senior contests, the loss to Mexico could not be discarded.

Brazil's case didn't hold water with FIFA, and Algeria's didn't either.