FIFA World Cup: King Salman declares holiday after Saudi Arabia beat Argentina

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has declared Wednesday a holiday for the private and government sectors after the national team’s win over Argentina, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari scored as Saudi Arabia beat Argentina 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup opener.

The Lusail Stadium hosted the game in a remarkable atmosphere, with thousands of Saudis crossing the border to support their team, joining Argentina's customarily large and boisterous fan base.

Argentina were on course to equal Italy's record unbeaten run of 37 games after the mercurial Messi opened his fifth and final World Cup with a 10th-minute penalty. Messi scored the penalty



against Saudi Arabia after a video review spotted a foul before Argentina had three goals disallowed. Messi, 35, beat Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais on a breakaway, but that goal, as well as two others by his teammate Lautaro Martinez, were ruled offside.

But La Albiceleste were stunned in the second half when Saudi Arabia scored two goals in five minutes to take a 2-1 lead in Qatar. Saleh Al-Shehri leveled for Herve Renard's side minutes after halftime with a low shot before Salem Al-Dawsari curled in a brilliant strike from the edge of the penalty area to give Saudi Arabia the lead.

They held on to the slender lead to register a historic victory over the tournament favorites.