As the Saudi Arabia players revelled in the jubilation of the crowd following their shock 2-1 win over Argentina, head coach Herve Renard was relatively calm. A two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner, he is no newcomer to this stage.
who would have thought this result? Argentina, the third-ranked side in FIFA rankings, with Lionel Messi in their side, and touted as the tournament favourites, have been completely stunned by 51-ranked Saudi Arabia. And all it took the Green Flacons were just five minutes of brilliance in the second half. Messi converted the penalty in the 10th minute before Argentina were disallowed three goals for offside all in the first half. Three minutes into the second half, Saleh Al-Shehri levelled the score before a stunner from Salem Al-Dawsari put Saudi ahead. They were on point with their defense, denying Argentina any further opportunities as they sailed to a memorable 2-1 win.
But before those triumphs, before guiding Morocco to their first World Cup in 20 years, and before this historic win, Renard was coach of Cambridge United. It seems incongruous that his time there ended in the sack - and relegation from the Football League just months later.
But if anyone thinks this was some disastrous fish-out-of-water tale, the story of a foreigner ill-prepared for the thud and blunder of English football's lower leagues, then think again. Speak to those who were there at the time and there is no hint of surprise that Renard has gone on to enjoy so much success. He left quite an impression at the Abbey Stadium.
Everyone from groundsman Ian Darler to supporter liaison officer Dave Matthew-Jones seems to have fond memories. Former Cambridge full-back Warren Goodhind remembers an "unbelievable" manager, while his old team-mate Shane Tudor regards Renard as "the perfect head coach" - perhaps the best that he has ever worked with.
"He was a guy who transformed the club in many ways," Tudor told Sky Sports. "The best way to describe it is like when Arsene Wenger went to Arsenal. It was a similar impact to that in terms of diet and nutrition. I remember that even his children did not drink coca cola. In terms of his ideas and his coaching methodology, he was exceptional.
"Don't get me wrong, Herve could fall out with you. He was passionate and he would get in your face but there was always a reasoning behind it. That was the difference. He would get the best out of you but it was intense and there was no let up with him. It can be draining after a while but that is probably why he does so well at international level.
Keeper rushes to clear the ball, but his knee strikes his own teammate who falls flat on the ground. Goalkeeper looks concerned, teammates surround the player as medical rush in for aid.The defender reacts with thumbs up gesture as he is stretchered out of the field. Argentina restart. Can they do it in the final minutes of the injury time? Saudi looked more determined to win this game. Goalkeeper denies Otamendi, but the ball lands inside the box. Attempt fired, but a defender gets in the way. Brilliant stuff!!
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