Saudi Arabia beat football favourites Argentina 2-1 in the Group C opener at the Lusail Stadium in Doha on Tuesday, November 22.
“A well-deserved victory, a combative performance and an Arab joy,” tweeted Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Lionel Messi advanced Argentina with a goal from the penalty kick before Saudi players – Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari scored two goals in the second half to give them their first victory of the current World Cup.
This was only the fifth time that Saudi Arabia has scored two goals in a World Cup game. The kingdom secured a victory over Belgium in the 1994 World Cup.
To celebrate this historic win, the kingdom announced November 23 to be a public holiday across the country. It will apply to all employees in both public and private sectors, as well as all students across the country.