Saudi fans rejoice after historic World Cup win over Argentina

Supporters of Saudi Arabia’s staff erupt in celebrations after 2-1 shock victory over event favourites.

Saudi followers rejoice after their staff's win [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

Lusail, Qatar – Ahmed Shaqri is ecstatic.

“That is my first World Cup match, and I get to see Saudi Arabia beat Argentina,” mentioned the Inexperienced Falcons fan, moments after witnessing his staff defeat the Qatar 2022 favourites at a packed Lusail Stadium in one of many largest upsets within the soccer event’s historical past.

“Simply good!”

And good it was. Two fast objectives by Saleh al-Shehri and Salem al-Dawsari early within the second half surprised the Argentinian facet, which had taken an early lead with a Lionel Messi penalty within the tenth minute.

“After that second objective, I believed we may go up 4-1,” mentioned Fahd al-Kanani, a fan who travelled to Qatar from Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh.

“I used to be not apprehensive like a few of my buddies have been,” the 25-year-old mentioned. “All we needed to do was defend. The stress was all on Argentina.”

The Argentinians did apply stress, however a collection of saves from the Saudi goalkeeper, Mohammed Al-Owais, stored the scoreline intact and in favour of the underdogs, who're ranked 51st on the planet in FIFA’s standings, in contrast with their opponents’ third place.

The top of the agonising sport, which had about quarter-hour of damage time, discovered the Saudi gamers on the pitch overjoyed and their followers within the stands on their ft and leaping.

“We supported our staff higher than the opposite facet, and we have now been rewarded,” mentioned Shaqri, who travelled from the jap Saudi metropolis of Dhahran.

Saudi Arabia’s staff celebrates after profitable 2-1 towards Argentina of their first Group C match at Lusail stadium on November 22, 2022 [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

On the opposing finish, Argentina’s dejected followers have been fast to move to the exits of the stadium, the event’s largest with almost 89,000 seats.

“This can be a nightmare. I by no means anticipated this,” Bruno, 31, who got here from Dubai advised Al Jazeera. “Like that is imagined to be Messi’s event, and right here we're shedding to a a lot lower-ranked staff.

“I'm really distraught.”

It was an fully totally different ambiance earlier than the 1pm (10:00 GMT) kickoff when upbeat Argentina supporters turned the realm across the stadium right into a sea of blue and white jerseys and flags whereas chanting, “Vamos Argentina,” or “Let’s go, Argentina.”

The optimism was constructed on the Albiceleste coming into the World Cup with a powerful run of 36 consecutive unbeaten matches. They have been seen as their clear favourites of Group C towards the likes of Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia – however the shock defeat of their opener has now solid doubts on their probabilities forward.

Lionel Messi scored, however Argentina didn't kick off the event with a win [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

“That is unreal, actually,” Jamie, 48, lamented. “I'm very offended. This could not have been a tough sport. We by no means took our probabilities. Now we have now Mexico and Poland, who will probably be a lot harder. I've a nasty feeling we is not going to make it into the following spherical.”

Followers not dashing to depart the scene of Argentina’s defeat mentioned what had gone improper.

Cecilia, who lives in Qatar’s capital, Doha, mentioned it will be laborious to qualify for the following spherical.

“Different groups like Mexico, Poland will scent blood,” the 27-year-old Argentinian mentioned. “They too will probably be assured now. However I'm right here, all the time supporting.”

Argentina’s subsequent sport will probably be towards Mexico on Saturday whereas Saudi Arabia will tackle Poland the identical day.

Saudi followers outdoors Lusail Stadium after their staff’s shock 2-1 win over Argentina [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

For the Inexperienced Falcons followers, nevertheless, all that issues is now – and their staff’s biggest victory ever.

Shortly after Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic blew the whistle at Lusail Stadium, the FIFA Fan Pageant website in central Doha erupted in celebrations by jubilant Saudi followers.

Related scenes have been seen throughout the Qatari capital with honking automobiles forming impromptu parades as passers-by joined within the festivities with chants and cheers.

“Nothing beats this,” mentioned Hassan Khalid, 27, from Medina, including he nonetheless couldn't consider what had occurred.

“It’s a dream come true.”