Saudis enjoy image boost from shock win over Argentina

DOHA, Qatar: Saudi Arabians enjoyed a holiday on Wednesday (Nov 23) to celebrate toppling mighty Argentina at the World Cup - but the benefits of their giantkilling go far beyond some unexpected free time.

The Green Falcons' 2-1 defeat of a Lionel Messi-led team hitherto unbeaten in three years was the greatest result for an Arab nation since Algeria defeated West Germany in 1982.

That handed Saudi Arabia positive publicity at a time when many around the world still associate the kingdom with autocratic rule and rights abuses.

Video of young Saudis dancing joyfully in delight and waving the national flag outside the stadium, and of others leaping around televisions at home, offered a glimpse of a Saudi Arabia often buried by negative headlines.

"Argentina: We Are Saudi," proclaimed the front page of Okaz, an independent Saudi daily newspaper, as the kingdom's media erupted in national pride.

In the football world, the result catapulted French coach Herve Renard, who once worked as a cleaner between training, to fame along with his little-known and entirely home-based team.

It also erased at a stroke the hurt of humiliating starts to past tournaments, including 5-0 and 8-0 losses to Russia and Germany in 2018 and 2002 respectively, reviving fans' hopes that the Green Falcons can restore regional hegemony.

Qatar had portrayed its success in securing the World Cup as one for the wider region. And beyond Saudi borders, other Arabs appeared to be celebrating the victory.

Social media images quickly spread of fans in Iraq, Yemen, Tunisia and Jordan leaping up and down and cheering as the game finished.

"A thousand thousand congratulations Saudi Arabia," said Amin Hassan from Sudan on Twitter.

Perhaps the biggest significance, however,