Saudi shock win at FIFA World Cup costs Argentina fan $160,000 bet

According to a report by British online paper Independent, “Online betting platform TAB has confirmed that someone placed $160,000 on Lionel Messi’s side to kick off their World Cup campaign with a win in Doha,” adding that “at odds of $1.13, the bet would have returned the fan $180,800 (£90,000), representing a profit of just $20,000 (£16,000) when compared to the huge sum they had to put on in the first place.”

Saudi Arabia’s thrilling 2-1 victory over Argentina is the biggest shock in the history of the World Cup according to Nielsen Gracenote.

The data company has developed a ranking system and algorithm that calculates team strength, location and sporting history.

Observing that the team is currently ranked 51st in the world by FIFA and Argentina have gone unbeaten in their previous 36 matches Nielsen Gracenote said Saudi Arabia had just an 8.7 percent chance of victory.

The victory has been called an “Arab joy” by Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed and led to celebrations across the region.

It is a historic victory that will shake the football world and be remembered for generations as Saudi Arabia’s football heroes have given the World Cup a memory it will never forget.

Thousands of fans at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar cheered on Saudi Arabia against the South American football giants as millions more in the kingdom stopped to watch the historic match.

Lionel Messi put Argentina ahead with a penalty in the 10th minute before the kingdom levelled through Saleh Al Shehri.

Wednesday was also announced as a public holiday for all employees and students in Saudi Arabia after the national team’s historic victory over Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar.

King Salman approved a suggestion made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to celebrate the national team’s victory with a holiday.

All public and private sector employees and students at all educational stages will be given a holiday, Saudi Press Agency reported.