2022 World Cup soccer odds: Argentina still second favorite to win tournament despite event's biggest-ever upset loss to Saudi Arabia

The biggest upset in World Cup history occurred early this morning Eastern time in Qatar. Saudi Arabia was priced +1800 to beat powerhouse Argentina and superstar Lionel Messi, and that's exactly what the Saudis did, 2-1, at Lusail Iconic Stadium, the site of the World Cup final. According to BetMGM that was the biggest single match upset in the history of the event. Argentina's odds to win the World Cup have now shifted from +475 to +700 at Caesars Sportsbook, but they are still the second overall favorites behind Brazil (+320).

Messi gave Argentina a 10th-minute lead with a penalty kick, becoming only the fifth player to score in four World Cups with his seventh overall goal in the tournament. The Argentines were on course to match Italy's record 37-match unbeaten run -- no team had beaten Lionel Scaloni's side since Brazil more than three years ago -- when they went ahead thanks to Messi's penalty, which came about after a VAR check for pushing and shoving in the box.

Just before halftime, Saudi Arabia was dealt a serious blow when captain Salman Al-Faraj was subbed off with an injury. However, the Green Falcons got the tying goal by Saleh Al-Shehri in the 48th minute and the go-ahead strike from Salem Al-Dawsari in the 53rd.

At BetMGM, 18% of bets (most) and 26% of the money (most) were on Argentina to win the World Cup. Most are calling it the biggest win by an Asian team ever at the World Cup, even more so than South Korea's 2-0 triumph over Germany in the last World Cup that eliminated the then-champions from the tournament. Going by the world rankings, Saudi Arabia (51) was the second-weakest team at Qatar 2022.

On the updated odds to win Group C, the Argentines still are +160 favorites, followed by Mexico (+275), Poland (+300) -- those teams play at 11 a.m. ET – and Saudi Arabia (+375).

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