Saudi Arabia has declared a national holiday following its stunning 2-1 win over tournament favorites Argentina in their Group C opener at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday, at the ongoing 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Game five of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar produced one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history as the Saudis stunned their most illustrious foes.
The South Americans were one of the heavy favorites going into the tournament following a 36-game unbeaten run, while Saudi Arabia was the lowest ranked at 51st.
But a stunning second-half comeback from Herve Renard’s side left Lionel Messi and company humiliated in their first game in the Middle Eastern masterpiece.
The huge victory, instantly hailed as the greatest in Saudi Arabia’s history, prompted the country’s ruler, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to designate Wednesday as a national holiday.
A Saudi Press Agency tweet said the day would be “a holiday for all employees in all government sectors and the private sector, and students at all stages of education.”
Saudi Arabia hasn’t progressed beyond the World Cup group stage since doing so on its tournament debut in the United States in 1994, but Herve Renard’s men could now take a big step to replicate that feat. when they face Poland on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Nigerian stars Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo have congratulated the Saudi Arabian team after the great victory.
While Ighalo currently plays in the Saudi Pro League with Al Hilal, Super Eagles captain Musa had two successful seasons with Al Nasar, winning the Saudi Professional League and Super Cup in 2019.
Following 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.”
Both sides are in action again on Saturday, with Argentina taking on rivals Mexico and Saudi Arabia taking on Poland.
Poland and Mexico played out a goalless draw on Tuesday, ensuring that the Saudis lead Group C with three points, while the Poles and the Mexicans are second together. The Argentines occupy the last place.