To defeat a team the size of Argentina in the first World Cup match, turn the tables on it and score two own goals in 5 minutes, this means that Saudi Arabia did not come to Qatar for a walk.
The Saudi national team striker, Saleh Al-Shehri, confirmed - in response to a question by Al-Jazeera Net - that the victory is historic and recorded in the history of Saudi football, "but we have to turn the page on this match and look forward to qualifying for the second round in the history of our country's national team."
Al-Shehri also expressed his overwhelming happiness "when I saw the ball hit the net of Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez," becoming the scorer of the first Arab goal in the "Qatar 2022" World Cup.
This is how our hawks celebrated 🦅
Our fans, how did they celebrate 🤩!?
pic.twitter.com/NUgIPZYJQd
– The Saudi team (@SaudiNT) November 22, 2022
In turn, the winger of the Saudi national team, Salem Al-Dosari, who scored the winning goal, explained that his team entered the second half and they insisted on achieving a positive result and scoring the equalizing goal early. "After this goal, hopes were raised and, thanks to God, I was able to score the second goal."
In response to a question by Al-Jazeera Net about some considering the Saudi national team the weakest team in the third group, Al-Dosari said that they will respond on the field with the next two matches, as they did against Argentina, stressing that all possibilities are open in this group, especially since there are still two matches.
Welcome with us … the “Man of the Match” Mohamed Al Owais, who was chosen by the International Federation of Football Associations 👏😍 .
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– The Saudi team (@SaudiNT) November 22, 2022
Despite this historic achievement for Saudi and Arab football, coach Hervé Renard stressed that the Saudi national team players should keep their feet on the ground and think about the next two matches against Poland and Mexico, because winning against Tango is not enough to pass to the second round.
Regarding the success of the offside trap that he adopted, which resulted in the Argentine national team falling into the trap 10 times and canceling 3 goals, the “French Fox” said that the team at the tactical level in the first half was not good, especially since the defense was lumpy in its area and we did not apply the high pressure required to limit Dangerous midfielders and attackers.
Congratulations to the team and the staff for this game, I dedicate this victory to the Saudi people.
We are waiting for your support next match!
🇸🇦🦅💚#HervéRenard #SaudiArabia #WorldCup #Alhamdulilah pic.twitter.com/FOUts999gr
- Hervé Renard (@Herve_Renard_HR) November 22, 2022
He added, "The Argentine national team started the match perfectly, and goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais saved several balls, and if the second goal was counted for the Argentine national team, the match would have ended. Between the two halves, I spoke with the players and was not happy with the performance, spirit and determination. When you come to the World Cup, you must be ready at all levels." .
He concluded, "We are looking forward to the next two matches, in football everything can happen, and you can win the first match and get out of the tournament."
And the Saudi “Al-Akhdar” had achieved the first surprises of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and overturned its delay with the goal of a 2-1 victory over the Argentine national team, one of the most prominent candidates for the title.
The Saudi victory came to end a historic series for the Argentine national team, and to prevent it from equalizing the record held by the Italian national team, and reaching the 37th match in the "unbeaten" series;
As Messi's comrades have not tasted the bitterness of defeat for 36 matches, over the past three years.