Saudi King, Salman, Declares Holiday after 2-1 Win over Messi's Argentina
For pulling one of the greatest upsets in modern day football, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman yesterday declared a holiday for the private and government sectors after the national team’s 2-1 win over Argentina in the opening Group C match at the on-going World Cup finals in Qatar.
In what is likely to be Lionel Messi’s last tournament, the two-time world champions and favourites were outnumbered by many Saudis that crossed the border to watch the historic match at the Lusail Stadium.
The win was celebrated with wild jubilation across the country and a few hours after the match, a message read “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Directs that Wednesday will be a Holiday for all Employees in all Government Sector and Private Sector, and Students in all Educational stages,” the statement read.
Argentina were on course to equal Italy's record unbeaten run of 37 games after the mercurial Messi opened his fifth and final World Cup with a 10th-minute penalty. Messi scored the penalty against Saudi Arabia after a video review spotted a foul before Argentina had three goals disallowed. Messi, 35, beat Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais on a breakaway, but that goal, as well as two others by his teammate Lautaro Martinez, were ruled offside.
But La Albiceleste were stunned in the second half when Saudi Arabia scored two goals in five minutes to take a 2-1 lead in Qatar. Saleh Al-Shehri leveled for Herve Renard's side minutes after halftime with a low shot before Salem AlDawsari curled in a brilliant strike from the edge of the penalty area to give Saudi Arabia the lead.
They held on to the slender lead to register a historic victory over the tournament favorites.
Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez said the loss hurts the team a lot as they were dreaming of starting the World Cup with a win.
“This hurts a lot. We were dreaming of starting the World Cup with a win. But it's happened and now we have to train and think forward,” said Martinez.
Speaking after the match, Abdulelah Al-Malki said Herve Renard’s half-time talk stoked up the whole team.
“Renard made us cry with motivation before the match and stoked us up during halftime,” said Al-Malki.