iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
The Parisians are on 69 points with four games left with Monaco trailing by 11 points
KT APPDOWNLOAD
'A day like this will never come again': Jubilant Saudi fans after historic World Cup win over Argentina
While the KSA fans were on cloud nine, the crestfallen Argentinians were shocked after team’s defeat that ended their 36-match unbeaten run
While Argentina fans were at a loss for words at Lusail Stadium after their star-studded team’s shock 2-1 defeat in their opening game of the Qatar World Cup, the Saudi Arabian fans savoured the team’s greatest win in history.
Argentina, one of the big favourites for the World Cup title in Qatar, went into Tuesday’s match on the back of a 36-match unbeaten run.
But little did they know that their staggering run would be halted by a team that had not won a World Cup match for 28 years.
“Today, Saudi Arabia won a World Cup match after 28 years. All these years, there were no wins in a World Cup. But today we won against Argentina. This is a historic day for my country,” said Predro, a Saudi fan.
“I hope we will have good results in the next couple of games.”
Abdullah, a Saudi journalist, was also delighted with the victory.
“It’s a historic day today. It’s a very big win for us in the World Cup. We are happy with what the team have done today. I hope the team will continue to play well,” he said.
For Ahmed, the celebrations will go long into the night.
“We are writing the history. We will celebrate all night. It’s a historic win,” he proudly said while holding the Saudi national flag.
Kasim, Ahmed’s friend, says it’s hard to believe that this day will ever come again.
“I cannot talk about this day; it’s history. It will be in history. I am so happy that we won this match. A day like this will not come again,” he said.
“Argentina are one of the best teams in this championship. So winning the first match against them will encourage the players.”
While the Saudi fans were on cloud nine, the crestfallen Argentinian still obliged every reporter that stopped them for a comment.
“The match was very bad for us today. It’s painful; I really don’t know what to say. It’s really, really sad,” said Alfredo, who has travelled from Cordoba, Argentina, for the World Cup.
“Everybody thought Argentina would win this match, but it’s football. It can happen. You need to win in 90 minutes.”
Gonzalo, another Argentinian fan, felt many of the Argentinian players were not in their best physical condition.
“I think Saudi Arabia has some good players. Argentina, I think, three-four players were physically down,” he said.
“It’s been a long year, and we didn’t know that Saudi Arabia has good players. They suddenly scored two goals (in the second half). So we have to concentrate on the next match.”
Gonzalo felt Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni would have to make some changes for the next two games.
“Our coach (Scaloni) has to make some changes in defence. But I am sure we will win against Mexico,’ he said.
Joaquin, a young Argentina fan, was heartbroken after his team’s defeat, ending their 36-match unbeaten run.
“This was really unexpected. But at the same time, it’s not normal to have so many unbeaten matches. So one day it had to end,’ he said.
“But in a way, it’s good that it happened in the first match of the World Cup. We are still alive. We have two more matches to win, and if we win, I am confident we will qualify for the next round.”
ALSO READ:
Joaquin also felt Argentina looked a little complacent against Saudi Arabia.
“I think not all the players were in their best health today. Messi, I think, had a problem with his ankle. The other team had a strong mentality to win. Argentina was like, ‘we will win like we were in the previous matches. But this is a World Cup, and it needs more powers from the players,” he said.
Nevertheless, Joaquin congratulated Saudi Arabian fans on their team’s historic victory.
“All my congratulations to them. They were really respectful. My best wishes for them,” he said.
“Their fans were nice, obviously; there were some comments, but we congratulated them, and they treated us with a lot of respect.”
More news from Sports
Reds defeat at Everton extinguishes their last hopes of winning the Premier League
The in-form Italian will move to within 330points of World No 1 Djokovic if he wins his fourth trophy of 2024 at the Madrid Open
The 22-time major champion admits his farewell tour hasn't been as enjoyable as he would have hoped
The goal-scoring striker is suffering from a muscle injury sustained during the Champions League quarter-final loss to Real Madrid
'When we have bad days, we are so bad. When we are good, we are capable of everything,' said the manager
BCCI's honorary secretary Jay Shah said the star batter 'inspired millions worldwide with his heroics with the bat and immaculate display of character'
Amidst the sport’s global growth organisers Ethara will host a special event at Louvre Abu Dhabi to announce details of the race’s 16th edition on December 6-8, 2024
