A wagerer from Down Under suffered a devastating A$160,000 blow when Saudi Arabia pulled off a stunning upset against Argentina in the World Cup.
The defeat was a bitter outcome for all of Argentina’s supporters, but it was an utter catastrophe for this specific Australian bettor. He had staked a considerable sum on Argentina to triumph over the Middle Eastern longshots, ultimately forfeiting A$160,000 (roughly US$106,000).
The unnamed gambler placed the A$160,000 wager through Australian bookmaker TAB, which verified the bet. A victory for Argentina would have earned him a tidy A$20,800 gain. Prior to the events that transpired at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, many viewed this as a guaranteed win.
Argentina, considered one of the tournament frontrunners, began powerfully. Lionel Messi converted a penalty just 15 minutes into the game, supplementing three previous goals that were ruled out due to offside calls. At the halfway point, the South American powerhouse appeared to have the match firmly under control.
Positioned at 50th in global rankings, Saudi Arabia required a miraculous turn of events to salvage anything from this encounter against such formidable adversaries.
Yet, divinely guided or not, the Saudi players returned for the second half resolute in their determination to avoid humiliation on the world’s grandest platform.
Saleh Al-Shehri equalized for Saudi Arabia soon after the restart, and then Salem Al-Dawsari curled in a spectacular strike to hand his team an astonishing advantage.
Although considered the heavy favorites, Messi and his Argentinian squad failed to overcome a tenacious Saudi Arabian defense. The stunning upset left a gambler from Australia $160,000 poorer, along with countless others, and sent the entire country of Argentina into a state of complete shock.
It appears, as the legendary Kenny Rogers once crooned, one must understand when to hold onto their cards, and when to discard them.