Saudi Arabia's midfielder #10 Salem Al-Dawsari celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group C football match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on November 22, 2022/AFPPix: Disbelieving Saudis formed impromptu dance circles and waved the sword-emblazoned national flag from the windows of speeding cars in Riyadh on Tuesday after their team’s sensational win over Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
“We have people who love football and we adore it,“ said Sultan, wearing a white thobe and a green-and-white scarf. The scenes of jubilation, with some fans wiping away tears with their bright green Saudi banners, were a sharp contrast to the subdued atmosphere during the first half, when Messi scored a penalty and Argentina had three goals ruled out for offside.
King Salman ordered that Wednesday be a national holiday for students and public and private sector employees Messi is no stranger to Saudi Arabia, having been named a tourism adviser to the kingdom as it tries to tempt visitors from abroad.