Izuchukwu OkosiThe Saudi Arabia government has declared Wednesday a public holiday to celebrate Tuesday‘s historic win over football superpower Argentina in the opening Group C match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina 2–1 in Lusail despite Lionel Messi putting the South Americans ahead in the 10th minute from the penalty spot.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelArgentina had three goals ruled out for offside as the Green Falcons played a high line that caught Lionel Scaloni’s men off guard.
In the first half alone, the Argentines were flagged offside seven times in total.
The players, officials and fans in the stands were in seventh Heaven as they celebrated the win as though it was the World Cup final.
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Saudi Arabia will now have the herculean task of defeating Mexico and Poland to complete a dream group stage campaign that promises even more shocks.
Employees and students in Saudi Arabia will have the opportunity to celebrate and take a break as their Saudi Arabia became the first non-European team to beat Argentina at the World Cup since Cameroon did in 1990.
Declaration of public holidays has become a fad in sporting events with governments all over the world acknowledging the importance of sports and in particular football.
They are also the first Asian team to beat Argentina in the history of the FIFA World Cup but second to defeat the South Americans in an opening game involving the Albeceleste after Cameroon defeated the team featuring Diego Maradona 1-0 with goal scored by Oman Biyik.
In the second Group C match of the tournament, Mexico and Poland ended their contest on a scoreless draw.
Star striker Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty that could have snatched all three points for the Poles, albeit Mexico troubled the opposition with their fair share of the chances.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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