Saudi Arabia beat Argentina in one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history ©Getty Images

Saudi Arabia stunned Argentina with one of the greatest upsets in FIFA World Cup history in the Group C opener, before France survived a momentary scare against Australia on the third day in Qatar.

Ranked 51st in the world, Hervé Renard's side found themselves down within 10 minutes courtesy of a Lionel Messi penalty at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.

The Argentines could have wrapped the game up in the first half but had three goals disallowed for offside.

The Green Falcons threw Argentina into unfamiliar territory in a remarkable five-minute period as they scored twice in quick succession.

Saleh Al Shehri levelled with a well-placed strike into the bottom corner after 48 minutes before Salem Al Dawsari sent the crowd into raptures with a fantastic curling finish.

The Saudis then held firm in defence for the remainder of the match, including a goal line stop, to snap Argentina's 36-game unbeaten streak.

Defending champions France faced a similar situation in their Group D fixture against Australia as Craig Goodwin side-footed the Socceroos into a surprise lead after nine minutes.

However, the lead was short-lived as Adrien Rabiot buried a 27th-minute header and Olivier Giroud scored his 50th international goal five minutes later with a tap in.

Olivier Giroud, right, scored his 51st goal for France to equal Thierry Henry's goalscoring record for the national team ©Getty Images
Olivier Giroud, right, scored his 51st goal for France to equal Thierry Henry's goalscoring record for the national team ©Getty Images

Kylian Mbappe made it three with an uncharacteristic headed goal in Al Wakrah's Al Janoub Stadium.

Giroud then tied Thierry Henry's record of 51 goals for France by getting on the end of Mbappe's cross.

Goalless draws made up the other two ties today.

In the second Group C match of the day, Poland's Robert Lewandowski spurned a golden opportunity to score his first World Cup goal.

His only other tournament was four years ago at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Barcelona striker had his penalty saved by 37-year-old goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa to the delight of the majority Mexican crowd in Doha's Stadium 974.

Ochoa saved his fourth penalty in Mexican colours by stopping Lewandowski.

The Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan saw Denmark held to a draw by Tunisia in Group D with both sides having goals ruled out for offside.

Denmark's Andreas Cornelius missed the best chance of the game from a yard out before 95th-minute drama as Denmark were denied a possible penalty for handball.

The tournament is set to continue tomorrow as fixtures begin in Group E and F.

Germany are set to play Japan while Spain meet Costa Rica while Morocco meet Croatia and Belgium take on Canada.