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RIYADH: Saudi disbelievers formed impromptu dance circles and waved the national flag emblazoned with a sword from the windows of speeding cars in Riyadh on Tuesday after their team’s thrilling victory over Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
When the final whistle blew in the group stage with a 2-1 scorer that ended Argentina’s 36-match unbeaten streak, fans watching on a big screen at a stadium in the capital Riyadh sent shisha pipes rushing in celebration.
“Nothing is impossible for Saudi Arabia…the future is here and we are the future,” said Tareq Al-Shammari, 35, at Marsool Park, as fans stormed the pitch and chanted and chanted songs around him. .
“We have people who love football and we adore it,” said Sultan, wearing a white dress and a green and white scarf.
“We are investing in infrastructure and have all the capabilities to compete with European countries.”
Few would have expected the Green Falcons, led by Hervé Renard, ranked 51 in the world, to dethrone the two-time world champions led by the prestigious Messi, who has seven Ballon d’Ors to his name.
The scenes of jubilation, with some fans wiping their tears with their bright green Saudi banners, were a sharp contrast to the calm atmosphere during the first half, when Messi scored a penalty and Argentina went three goals out for offside.
But the crowd burst into life just three minutes into the second half, when the Saudis equalized.
Celebrations exploded after Salem Al Dosari gave the Green Falcons a shock lead after five minutes, and the nervous fans loudly cheered every save by goalkeeper Mohamed Al Owais – who didn’t let another ball go, despite a long stretch of stoppage time.
“I’m so happy, so,” said a fan who gave her name as Bayan.
Nobody expected this from the Saudis, but they did it.
Riyadh prepared to party all night as congratulations poured in from senior Saudi officials.
Turki Al-Sheikh, an adviser to the royal court and head of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, announced on Twitter that entry fees will be waived at major theme parks and entertainment centers in the city on Tuesday.
Messi is no stranger to Saudi Arabia, as he was appointed as a tourism advisor to the kingdom in an attempt to entice visitors from abroad.
However, Saudis on Twitter were quick to gloat over his loss, with one meme showing a man in a white robe roasting a goat — representing Messi, sometimes referred to as the greatest of all time or goat — over an open fire.
Officials were quick to describe the victory as a victory for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s reform agenda, which relied heavily on sports to try to improve the kingdom’s image abroad.
That campaign, which included a controversial new golf tournament, heavyweight boxing and Formula 1, drew accusations of “sportswashing”, or using such events to divert attention from human rights abuses.
An Egyptian official said earlier this year that the kingdom is in talks with Egypt and Greece about a joint proposal to host the World Cup in 2030.
Tuesday’s victory” is a tangible result of the huge efforts that have been made in the past five years to develop #sports and Saudi youth. Ali Shihabi, a Saudi analyst close to the government, said on Twitter: What a wonderful confirmation of this massive effort.
“For everyone who shouts ‘sports washing’ in Saudi Arabia, enjoy the result!!”
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