Less than two years after a raging regional conflict, Saudi Arabia’s stunning World Cup triumph over giants Argentina sparked a rare moment of shared elation throughout the shattered Arab world, even among Qataris.
After the Saudis’ infamous 2-1 victory over the South American champions, one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, a caravan of Qatari automobiles drove through the streets of Doha as their horns were honking.
Such events were unimaginable during the almost four-year Saudi-led boycott that severed Qatar’s diplomatic, commercial, and transportation links with its closest neighbors over disputed allegations of backing extremists and being too close to Iran.
As Tunisians, Moroccans, Egyptians, Lebanese, and Jordanians joined the crowd of Saudi supporters who celebrated in the Qatari capital, complicated regional relations were forgotten.
At a Doha fan zone, 24-year-old Jordanian Ahmed Al-Qasim told AFP, “This is a historic triumph for Saudi Arabia and a tremendous victory for all Arabs.” He was wearing his nation’s flag across his shoulders.
In a low voice, he said, “I may not agree with the Saudi government’s policies, but I am happy with this fantastic football triumph.
The victory was Saudi Arabia’s largest since its 1994 World Cup debut and the first for a Middle Eastern nation in this year’s competition, which is being played for the first time on Arab land.
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