Saudi star Al-Dawsari's journey to immortality
Forward struck early goal of tournament contender for Saudis to produce seismic FIFA World Cup™ shock,
Salem Al-Dawsari completed Saudi Arabia comeback to stun Argentina
Forward made national team debut decade ago
Herve Renard's team pursuing Saudi's second last-16 appearance
Salem Al-Dawsari capped his remarkable rise with Saudi Arabia by summoning a winning goal against Argentina that was as brilliant as it was historic.
The forward made his international debut back on 29 February 2012. And while many Saudi fans would have envisaged the 21-year-old newcomer growing into one of the country's brightest footballing talents, few would have expected Al-Dawsari's name to be immortalised in Saudi football legend following his exploits at two consecutive FIFA World Cups™.
Born on 19 August 1991, Al-Dawsari was only one-year-old when Saudi Arabia hosted the inaugural King Fahd Cup, the precursor to the FIFA Confederations Cup. Little did he know when Saudi faced Argentina in a 1992 final won 3-1 by La Albiceleste that he would be part of the national team that secured a famous win over the South Americans some three decades down the line.
Al-Dawsari began his career at Al Shabab FC, later joining Al-Hilal, where he went from strength to strength in the Saudi league. Over time, he gradually established himself as one of the Green Falcons’ most important players and is now among the first names on the team sheet. He is also the man who many supporters rely on to deliver when it matters most.
First World Cup outing
With Saudi Arabia missing out on Brazil 2014, Al-Dawsari was forced to wait until Russia 2018 for his World Cup debut. He played all three group matches, against Russia, Uruguay and Egypt, and despite his team's early exit managed to bag himself a goal in a win over their African opponents.
Historic strike against Argentina
Four years on and Al-Dawsari continues to shine for Al-Hilal, while the Green Falcons are at another World Cup, this time in a formidable group comprising Argentina, Mexico and Poland.
Just prior to the tournament, the Argentinian Ramon Diaz, who is currently coaching Al-Dawsari's club team, told FIFA+: “The Green Falcons hold a special place in my heart, seeing as a large proportion of them play for Al Hilal. The squad has a lot of potential, so I don’t think it’ll be an easy game for Argentina. I expect them to perform well.
"Although Argentina have the best player in the world [Lionel Messi], the Greens must work to stop him. I told the players I’ll be attending the match because it’ll no doubt be an exciting one.”
Al-Dawsari certainly made things difficult for coach Lionel Scaloni's Argentina team. The Saudi's trailed to Messi's penalty at half time, but Saleh Al-Shehri equalised soon after the break and Al-Dawsari quickly gave his country the lead, courtesy of an exquisite strike that will live long in the memory.
This historic winning goal means Al-Dawsari joins legend Sami Al-Jaber as only the second Saudi player to score at two World Cups. Moreover, if he adds just one more goal to his tally at this tournament, he will equal Al-Jaber’s national record of three World Cup strikes.
Al-Dawsari's curling effort provided Saudi Arabia additional recognition as the first Asian team to score more than once against Argentina at a World Cup. Two group games remain for the hero of Lusail to maintain his epochal exploits.
The same can be said for coach Herve Renard's (above) team, who will aim to emerge the other side of matches against Mexico and Poland with a spot in the last-16. Manage that and they will be only the second Saudi Arabia side after the 1994 edition in USA to advance from their group.
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