Memorable moments: the anniversary of one of the most beautiful goals in World Cup history, which marked Saudi Arabia’s historic success

29.6.1994 is a date that is forever etched in the hearts of Saudi football fans. Saeed Al-Owairan scored one of the most beautiful goals in World Cup history. It also marked his country’s historic qualification for the knockout stages of the final tournament.

Football in Saudi Arabia is now experiencing the brightest moments in its history, with the world’s biggest football stars joining its top league. But it was not always so.

The year was 1994 and the football world was going crazy over the World Cup held in the United States of America. For the first time in its 38-year history, a football midget from the Arabian Peninsula made it to the final tournament.

Saudi Arabia qualified for the tournament from the Asian qualifiers under experienced Argentine coach Jorge Solari. It was drawn in a tough Group F with the Netherlands, Morocco and Belgium.

Although the Saudis lost their first match against the favourites from the Netherlands, they managed to pick up an important three points in the subsequent match against the Moroccan team. These provided a glimmer of hope for a historic qualification to the knockout stage.

In their last group match, they also faced the favoured Belgium, who had managed to win both their previous matches, even shocking with a slim victory over the Oranjes.

One of the biggest stars of the selection, Saeed Al-Owairan, opened the scoring in the fifth minute with an incredible solo shot practically across the field. He took the ball in his own half and ran through all the Belgium defenders to score one of the most beautiful goals in World Cup history.

Moreover, the beautiful solo meant his team advanced to the knockout stages of the tournament after the closest win of the tournament, which of course marked a historic achievement for the football midget that has not been surpassed to this day.

In the eighth-final match, though, Saudi Arabia succumbed to later bronze medalist Sweden. Even so, fans still remember one of the finest moments in their football history.

Source: Wikipedia, Twitter – Football Tweet