New Delhi

Saudis  have been dancing in the streets to celebrate the incredible victory of their team against mighty Argentina in the FIFA world cup opening match on Tuesday as the government declared Wednesday a public holiday to let the celebrations linger on.

According to Saudi Gazette newspaper, euphoric scenes erupted all over the Arab world and the Middle East region after Saudi Arabia’s stunning victory against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.

Leaders and the public joined football fans all over the region in celebration of ‘The Green Falcons’ sealing of one of the biggest upsets in the World Cup’s nine-decade history.

Videos of people celebrating in the streets by dancing and holding the Saudi flag have been posted on Twitter even by those who find it "unIslamic':

Saudi Muslims enjoying the football win by dancing along to western music.

The “Ummah” can be like this, expect you got Islamist extremists that hate it and TV personalities that agree with them.

Let’s Muslims be free from these wretched miscreants. pic.twitter.com/innrbnMHIt

— Wasiq Wasiq (@WasiqUK) November 22, 2022

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad was seen carrying Saudi Arabia’s flag and draping it around his neck during the Saudi match against Argentina. In a video circulating on social media, a fan hands a Saudi flag to the smiling emir who then places it around his neck and waves at the cheering crowd.

Even Israel has congratulated the Saudis for their victory.

Dubai’s Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid tweeted after the match to congratulate Saudi Arabia’s Green Falcons, calling the result a “deserved victory” and praising their “combative performance.”

Thousands of Saudi fans inside the Lusail Stadium couldn’t believe what they were watching as they celebrated their unexpected victory. As full-time neared, fans cheered every tackle and save as if they were goals and, when the match did indeed end, Saudi Arabia fans reacted with frenzy.

According to sports data group Gracenote, Tuesday’s result was the biggest upset in the history of the FIFA World Cup. As much as this was a historic win for Saudi Arabia, it was a humiliating defeat for Argentina who capitulated on the biggest stage.

Many expatriates were also seen celebrating the Saudi's victory over Argentina:

#जीत_की_खुशी...💐
कतर में खेलें जा रहें फुटबॉल वर्ल्ड कप में सऊदी अरब की जीत, 51 रैंकिंग टीम सऊदी अरब ने ) (3 रैंकिंग की बड़ी टीम अर्जेंटीना को 2,,1 से हराया।

सऊदी अरब की इस जीत की खुशी पर सऊदी किंग सलमान ने कल पूरे सऊदी अरब में छुट्टी का आदेश दिया!@Inextlive @dainikjagran pic.twitter.com/rXkvu9YaKs

— Tushar Rai (@tusharcrai) November 22, 2022

According to Saudi Gazette, there were euphoric scenes inside the Saudi Arabian squad’s changing room, moments after they pulled off the impossible and secured a historic victory over Argentina. The players embraced wild celebrations, dancing and cheering loudly, and toasted success with water.

The victory was celebrated by Arabs everywhere as a win for them. Across the United States, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, people found pride and joy in the Saudi underdog beating a famously much stronger team.

The Arab world in particular witnessed a rare moment of shared ecstasy.

People tweeted the hashtag “Our Gulf is one” alongside the photos of the two leaders – the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the Emir of Qatar - among other images, including a clip of an interview with goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais saying, “today, as Arabs, we are playing on our land, and among our fans. This gives you an advantage over our opponents, whoever they may be.”

In Saudi, many public figures such as religious leaders were quick to ascribe the win to the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

However, in this joyful melee, Saudi Arabia's French coach Hervé Renard asked the players not to extend the celebrations beyond 20 minutes, for Argentina is still a powerful team.

Many Indian have posted congratulatory message for the saudi Team on Twitter:

सऊदी अरब #FIFAWorldCup में अर्जेंटीना को हराने वाला पहला एशियाई देश बन गया है।

बहुत बहुत मुबारकबाद। pic.twitter.com/zoGplufFLU

— Maulana Aamir Rashadi Madni (@AamirRashadi) November 22, 2022

But the real celebrities were the team members themselves, especially the goalkeeper. Saudis posted their photos alongside hashtags such as “Our Falcons are our pride” and “Our green ahead of all.”

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