Saudi Arabia claims victory in its first ever women's international match

By Ben Church, CNN

Updated 1232 GMT (2032 HKT) February 21, 2022

Players of the first Saudi women's football team attend a session in November 2, 2021.

(CNN)It was a historic day for Saudi Arabia as the women's national football team played, and won, its first official international match on Sunday.

The Saudis traveled to the Maldives to beat the Seychelles 2-0 in a friendly which comes just a month after the final team was named.Rory McIlroy says golf's proposed Super League is 'dead in the water' as stars announce commitment to PGA TourIt will now face the Maldives in its second match on Thursday at the National Stadium in Malé.The team was congratulated by Brazilian soccer legend Pelé, who called it a «historic day.»«I want to congratulate the @saudiFF and their Women's National Football Team for their first ever official @FIFAcom match,» he wrote on Twitter.Read More«Today is a historic day not only for you, but for everyone who loves football.»Saudi Arabia is managed by German Monica Stubb who noted the significance of the tie even before a ball was kicked.«We are facing a historic moment for Saudi women's football,» she said.

Historic Images. Saudi Arabia played their first ever women's international today. First goals ✅ First clean sheet ✅ First victory ✅ Enjoy the moment! https://t.co/ANBn9YjhDe

— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) <a href=«https://twitter.com/FIFAcom/status/1495464708085891072?ref_src=» https: edition.cnn.com>February 20, 2022 «And I would like to ask the players to enjoy this match and to be proud to be on this list and to have the opportunity to live this experience, which is only the beginning of what is to come.»It is another gesture toward loosening some of the strict rules that are still imposed on women