ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • 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
  • 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
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • 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

Man drinks alcohol and lifts weight for 90 days straight to see how bad it actually is(YouTube/@Clawhammer Supply)How much a pint costs at the 2026 Grand National, get your overdraft readyCarl De Souza/GettyNASA 'anxious' as Artemis crew approach fireball return reaching 23,839 mph speeds(NASA via Getty Images)Extreme physical changes to Artemis II crew's body after 10 days in spaceNASA via Getty Images

Advert

Choose your content:

4 days ago
7 days ago
11 days ago
  • Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
    4 days ago

    Danny Dyer joins in with X-rated chant about his own daughter

    The actor previously shared his thoughts on the rude chant

    News
  • SkySports
    7 days ago

    Luke Littler branded 'out of order' after interaction during darts match goes viral

    The 19-year-old has since reacted to Gian van Veen's comments about his conduct

    News
  • Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
    11 days ago

    Lamar Odom shares ’hardest thing to quit’ after 12 strokes and six heart attacks in coma

    The NBA legend said he's 'had a lot of reasons probably to do drugs' following his new Netflix doc Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom

    News
  • Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
    11 days ago

    UFC’s Maycee Barber responds after knockout left her unconscious in Octagon

    Maycee Barber has addressed her knockout against Alexa Grasso for the first time

    News
  • England learn World Cup opponents as 2026 draw is made
  • Controversial 'mandatory checks' proposed for people travelling to FIFA World Cup in America
  • Fans think Argentina deliberately lost to Saudi Arabia at the World Cup
  • Trump makes bold statement as he films bizarre announcement with iconic World Cup