Everton legend Kevin Sheedy has revealed his pride in the part he played in the biggest World Cup shock of all time by helping Saudi Arabia’s Hassan Al-Tambakti on the road to stardom. Al-Tambakti delivered a heroic defensive display against Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates in Qatar 2022.
The Upset That Shocked the World
Saudi Arabia stunned eventual tournament winners Argentina by coming from 1-0 down to defeat them 2-1 in their opening fixture at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. Argentina went into the match unbeaten in their previous 36 games. After a penalty from Messi put them ahead, two spectacular strikes in five minutes from Saleh Alshehri and Salem Aldawsari secured the win.
Rated 51st in the world by FIFA—48 places below Argentina—the Saudis' success was dubbed by many as the biggest upset in World Cup history. The jubilant kingdom declared a national holiday to celebrate.
Sheedy's Hidden Role
Sheedy, a former Everton left winger, was appointed youth team coach at Al-Tambakti's club Al-Shabab in 2017. He noticed that the then 17-year-old Al-Tambakti lived on the outskirts of Riyadh and had no public transport to get to training. Sheedy told the ECHO: "I’d noticed in the car park that there were cars there in the morning and still there in the evening, not being used. I went to the people in charge and told them we need to get him a car."
After persistent requests, the club agreed and provided Al-Tambakti with a car. Sheedy recalled: "It was only an old banger, but he turned up with about eight teammates in the car because he’d picked everybody up!" Al-Tambakti went on to become Saudi Arabia's most expensive player, joining Al-Hilal for 46 million Saudi riyal (over £9 million) in August 2023.
Defensive Heroics Against Messi
During the nerve-shredding 13 minutes of stoppage time against Argentina, Al-Tambakti kept his nerve to cap an immense display. The Daily Mail picked him in their best XI from the opening round, stating he was "as good as anyone on the pitch" and "marshalled both Messi and Lautaro Martinez exquisitely."
Sheedy said: "He was giving everything and putting his body on the line to snuff out the threat from Lionel Messi and the rest of Argentina’s attackers. I worked with him for nine months; he was raw but had the qualities to make it—big, strong, with pace and good on the ball."
A Proud Moment for Sheedy
Al-Tambakti is one of three players Sheedy coached who played at the 2022 World Cup for different countries. The others are Eric Dier (England) and Antonee Robinson (USA). Sheedy said: "I was the only youth coach who coached three players to play at the same World Cup for three different countries. It was a proud moment to see these three lads all playing."
