It was minute 11. Saudi Arabia was already losing 1-0 against Argentina after Leo Messi's penalty goal, a goal that should have been the first of many. The clock was ticking and Saudi Arabia wasn't reacting, taking chances or fighting for the ball. Then, the referee blew the whistle marking the end of the first half.
The players headed for the tunnel with disgruntled looks. It was as if they had already given up. But then Hervé Renard came along. Inside the locker room, the coach sat down with his players and gave them a pep talk that changed the course of the game:
Do I do like you guys? Huh? Except for Salman, the rest like this [looking down]... What are we doing here? Is this our pressure? Pressure means going up! Messi is in the midfield, he has the ball, and you are standing still, waiting in defense! Take your cell phone and take a picture if you want to... Those of you who are in front, in defense, you have to follow them! [Renard runs through the locker room]... We warned you, and did you see what you did? Don't you feel anything? Don't you think you are able to come back? Don't you feel it? [Argentina] They are playing relaxed! Come on guys, come on... This is the World Cup! Give it all! When you are in front of the area you are like this [still]... Be active!
Saudi Arabia was losing 1-0 against Argentina. This is his coach Hervé Renard's half-time talk. This is how a comeback begins. pic.twitter.com/bPrsi985S7
- Yasujiro Official (@YasujiroOfficial) November 25, 2022
Renard's speech paid off. The referee blew the whistle to start the second half and eight minutes later, Saudi Arabia was in the lead. The players fought, defended and went after every ball that got away from them to get it back as quickly as possible.
The referee blew the final whistle and the Saudi team won a game that, an hour earlier, seemed impossible.
