Saudi Arabia declared a national holiday after beating favorites Argentina 2-1 in the first match of Group C at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The fifth match of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar produced one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history as the Saudis stunned their most famous foes.
The South Americans were one of the heavy favorites ahead of the tournament after a 36-match unbeaten run, while Saudi Arabia were ranked lowest in 51st place.
But a stunning second-half comeback from Herve Renard humbled Lionel Messi and co in the first game of the Middle East showpiece.
The dramatic victory, immediately hailed as the best in Saudi Arabia’s history, prompted the country’s ruler, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to declare Wednesday (today) a national holiday.
A tweet from the Saudi Press Agency said the day “will be a holiday for all employees in all sectors of the government and students in the private sector and at all stages of education.”
Saudi Arabia have not progressed beyond the World Cup group stage since their tournament debut in the United States in 1994, but Herve Renard’s men can take a big step towards repeating that feat when they face Poland on Saturday.
On the other hand, Nigerian stars Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo have congratulated the Saudi Arabian team after their incredible victory.
While Ighalo currently plays for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, Super Eagles captain Musa had two successful seasons with Al Nasar where they won the Saudi Pro League and Super Cup in 2019.
After the famous win over Argentina, both players took to social media to congratulate Renard’s team.
“Congratulations Saudi Arabia,” Ighalo wrote on his official Instagram account.
On his Twitter page, Musa also wrote: “Congratulations to my Saudi Arabian Fans.”
The two sides are in action again on Saturday, with Argentina facing Mexico and Saudi Arabia with Poland.
Poland and Mexico played out a goalless stalemate on Tuesday, which saw the Saudis secure top spot in Group C with three points, while the Poles and Mexico are joint second. Argentinians occupy the bottom position.
