New Delhi: Following the victory against Argentina, Saudi King Salman has declared a holiday in the country. Saudi Arabia stunned two-time world champion Argentina in the Qatar World Cup. The Lionel Messi-led team faced a humiliating and unexpected 2-1 loss. As the nation celebrates, the government declared a holiday for all employees in the public and private sectors as well as for students.
Argentina’s 36-match unbeaten streak ended and nobody expected that it would be Saudi Arabia who will undermine the potential world cup winners. This is one of the greatest upsets in the history of the FIFA World Cup and surely a time to celebrate for Saudi fans. Football fans are pouring their love for Saudi Arabia and the celebration has begun.
Saudi Arabia is famous for oil, to be the origin of Islam, Arabian horses, the world’s largest sand desert (Rub’ Al Khali), the world’s largest oasis (Al-Ahsa), Arabian coffee, oil, countless palaces, countless mosques and making Argentina look terrible.
— Andrew Tate (@Cobratate) November 22, 2022
Congratulations to the team and the staff for this game, I dedicate this victory to the Saudi people. We are waiting for your support next match! ????#HervéRenard #SaudiArabia #WorldCup #Alhamdulilah pic.twitter.com/FOUts999gr
— Hervé Renard (@Herve_Renard_HR) November 22, 2022
Saudi coach Herve Renard is getting a lot of credit for the win.
Give Herve Renard his flowers.
2012: Won AFCON with Zambia
2015: Won AFCON with Côte d’Ivoire
2018: Qualified Morocco to the World Cup for the first time since 1998
2022: Stuns Messi’s Argentina in World Cup opener with Saudi ArabiaThe 54-year old Frenchman is ????. pic.twitter.com/TznZGFuCgh
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) November 22, 2022
Saudi fans were seen copying the celebration style of Messi’s arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Saudi Arabia fans with the Cristiano Ronaldo celebration in front of the Argentines. ? pic.twitter.com/XUMhD9GqSQ
— TC (@totalcristiano) November 22, 2022
No chill from these Saudi Arabia fans ? pic.twitter.com/WvDjGqBmuB
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 22, 2022
This Saudi Arabia fan got so excited over the win against Argentina that he threw his door ??pic.twitter.com/p1yKqBNGbt
— LADbible (@ladbible) November 22, 2022
Saudi Arabia fans earlier today, you’ve got to love this ??
[Tt/os.sksk]#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/aNy0Vmy9CC
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) November 23, 2022
Saudi women in celebration?? #SaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/oy7PYIsOcp
— XG- ? (@ChisqYcr) November 22, 2022
The Saudi women’s team supporting the Saudi National Team as it proceeded to defeat Argentina in the World Cup. This is the new Saudi Arabia despite what the Washington Post tells you. https://t.co/pouF8bCH9l
— Mohammed Alyahya محمد اليحيى (@7yhy) November 22, 2022
Meanwhile, it was a tough situation for Messi fans in Saudi Arabia.
Today was a moral dilemma for me. Well played Saudi Arabia teams. pic.twitter.com/TkUoXuOA1T
— Half Blood Prince (@Pakhtun_Snape) November 22, 2022
In the game, Messi scored a goal off a penalty in the 10th minute and everyone thought it would be a one-sided match for Argentina. Soon, in the second half, Saleh Al-Shehri levelled the score and Salem Al-Dawsari gave his team the decisive lead. But, the performance of the day came from the Saudi Arabian goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais who defended well and did not let the Argentine attack go past him.