ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Videos
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Saudi Arabia declares a national holiday after beating Argentina in its opening World Cup match
Home>Sport
Updated 21:30 22 Nov 2022 GMTPublished 21:26 22 Nov 2022 GMT

Saudi Arabia declares a national holiday after beating Argentina in its opening World Cup match

Everyone in the Middle Eastern country will get Wednesday off after the surprise win.

Rachel Lang

Rachel Lang

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has given the entire nation a day off after their massive World Cup win against Argentina.

The team was down 1-0 after Lionel Messi scored a penalty just 10 minutes into the match in Qatar.

But, the Saudi Arabian side didn’t let that get them down and managed to pull off what is already being called one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

The match finished with the Middle Eastern country up 2-1 against their South American rivals.

Advert

Players of Saudi Arabia celebrates the winning with fans after the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar group C between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium.
Px Images/Alamy.

As a result, the King celebrated the incredible win by declaring a holiday for everyone in the nation.

"It is directed that tomorrow, Wednesday, be a holiday for all employees in all sectors of the state and the private sector, and male and female students in all educational stages," a statement from the king said, as per The Athletic.

The win against Argentina places Saudi Arabia top of Group C for now.

Fans took to the streets after the game to celebrate in a very iconic way.

In footage shared on social media, fans were seen jumping up and down wildly celebrating and they didn't stop there.

In another clip, some fans were seen sitting atop a giant horse, much like the Trojans heading into Troy.

Thousands of Saudis crossed the border to witness the clash against Argentina at Lusail Stadium.

With a Trojan Horse, no less.

Twitter
Saudi Arabia's coach Herve Renard, who was hired in 2019 to lead the qualification bid for Qatar, told reporters (via Reuters): "We made history for Saudi football, it will stay forever.

"That is the most important thing. But we have to look forward - we have two difficult games for us ahead."

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is intent on making the Middle Eastern country a sporting superpower, also received a shoutout from the coach.

"When I decided to coach this team three years ago I found all the support. We have a great federation president and also the Ministry of Sports," he said.

"When we met with the prince [Mohammed bin Salman], he did not put any pressure on us, and this is wonderful."

He added that the team will now buckle down to focus on their next match.

Lionel Messi of Argentinia wins a defensive header against Sultan Alghannam of Saudi Arabia.
BSR Agency / Alamy

"You know the nature of the Saudi player, when will be flying, but we must keep our feet on the ground," Renard said.

The loss saw Argentina’s chances of winning the World Cup drop to just 8.6 percent, having sat at 12.6 percent prior to the tournament kicking off.

Fans may also be keen to know that Argentina had been favourites to top Group C - on 65.8 percent - but that’s since dropped to 27.3 percent.

Saudi Arabia now has a 46.2 percent chance of making it to the final 16 after their huge win.

Featured Image Credit: Abaca Press / Alamy. ZUMA Press / Alamy.

Topics: World Cup, Football, Sport, World News

Rachel Lang
Rachel Lang

Rachel Lang is a Digital Journalist at LADbible. During her career, she has interviewed Aussie PM Malcolm Turnbull in the lead up to the 2016 federal election, ran an editorial campaign on the war in Yemen, and reported on homelessness in the lead-up to Harry and Meghan’s wedding in Windsor. She also once wrote a yarn on the cheese and wine version of Fyre Festival.

X

@rlangjournalist

Recommended reads

Lifetime ISAs boost with free £1,000 every year is now even better with 'rate war'Geography Photos/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesBill Gates now says just four jobs will survive AI takeover(Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)Influencer's two-year-old daughter tragically dies after 'thinking she could swim' then drowningFacebookGTA 6 more expensive in UK than US as pre orders begin(Rockstar)

Advert

Choose your content:

3 hours ago
13 hours ago
21 hours ago
22 hours ago
  • Buda Mendes/Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    How Scotland can still qualify for knockouts despite losing to Morocco and Brazil

    It's not looking good for the Tartan Army

    News
  • Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
    13 hours ago

    Qatar player handed five-match ban after horror tackle that left Canada star with broken leg

    FIFA has handed Assim Madibo a five-match ban following the challenge which ended Koné's World Cup

    News
  • Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
    21 hours ago

    Why Jude Bellingham wasn't sent off for covering his mouth following new rule

    Miguel Almirón received a red card earlier at the weekend and has been given a one match ban in the World Cup for covering his mouth

    News
  • Buda Mendes/Getty Images
    22 hours ago

    Scotland vs Brazil at risk of lengthy delay due to FIFA rule

    Scotland captain Andy Robertson hopes the team can 'achieve history'

    News
  • Iran national anthem booed at World Cup opener amid protests in LA
  • Lionel Messi speaks out after breaking down in tears during Argentina World Cup game
  • FIFA demands country re-design World Cup 2026 kit 3 days before opening game for breaking key rule
  • Keir Starmer addresses bank holiday if England win the World Cup