King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud has declared a national holiday after Saudi Arabia’s World Cup stunt against Argentina (1-2 win). Everyone from the country has Wednesday off to fully enjoy Saudi Arabia’s historic victory over Lionel Messi’s team.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner gave Argentina the lead from eleven meters in the first half. After that, the country scored no less than three times from an offside position, before Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari scored within minutes shortly after the break and put the 1-2 on the board. Argentina kept pushing in the final phase of the game, but could no longer prevent losing the opening game. The team of national coach Lionel Scaloni is therefore experiencing a false start at Messi’s last World Cup.
Saudi Arabia’s victory over one of the contenders for the World Cup title is seen by many as a huge stunt. National coach Hervé Renard is happy with the three points, but does not want his players to lose focus. “It is a historic and memorable victory and that gives us perspective. We beat the best team in the world. Sometimes completely crazy things can happen. We have prepared ourselves well.”
It was not necessarily bad on Tuesday, Renard realizes. “All the stars were right in the sky. I know the Saudi players. They tend to float and no longer touch the ground. I will sit on their back.” Renard’s team will play against Poland next Saturday, while it will close the group stage against Mexico next Wednesday. Argentina must win this Saturday against the team of Ajax player Edson Álvarez, among others, to have a chance at the knockout phase.
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