Saudi Arabia Declares National Holiday Following Surprising Victory Over Argentina

Saudi King Salman declared a national holiday following his country’s stunning World Cup victory over Argentina on Tuesday, according to state media.

The 86-year-old monarch “orders that tomorrow, Wednesday, be a holiday for all employees in the public and private sectors, as well as male and female students at all educational levels”, the Al-Ekhbariya channel said on Twitter.

The decision comes in the midst of final exams in the Gulf country, implying that they will have to be rescheduled.

After conceding an early Lionel Messi penalty, the Saudi Green Falcons produced one of the greatest World Cup upsets thanks to a Saleh Al-Shehri equalizer and a sublime Salem Al-Dawsari winner at Doha’s Lusail Stadium.

After the final whistle, fans formed impromptu dance circles and waved the sword-emblazoned national flag from the windows of speeding cars throughout the capital Riyadh.

King Salman’s son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was seen celebrating after the game with a group that included energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, according to Al-Ekhbariya.

Turki al-Sheikh, a Royal Court adviser and the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, announced on Twitter on Tuesday that admission fees at major theme parks and entertainment centers in Riyadh would be waived.

Few expected Herve Renard’s Green Falcons, ranked 51st in the world, to upset the twice-world champions led by Messi, who has seven Ballons d’Or to his name.

The team’s next match is against Poland on Saturday.

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