World Cup wonder goals: King’s call spurs Saudi stunner
We count down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showing a wonder goal each day. Today’s shows Saeed Al-Owairan’s solo effort for Saudi Arabia at 1994.
We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Belgium v Saudi Arabia USA 1994 | Group F RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
“I felt under intense pressure going into the World Cup,” explained Saeed Al-Owairan. “All the goalscoring pressure was heaped on me even though I didn’t play as a striker. When I didn’t score in the first game, it was worse. When I didn’t score in the second, it was indescribable.” Then a phone call acted as a stress vacuum. “King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud called me, saying, ‘God bless those who play beautiful football. You’ll score against Belgium.’”
A ringing of royal confidence worked. It liberated Al-Owairan to try something few would have dared. Collecting the adidas Questra deep inside his own half, the 26-year-old set off, darted between Franky Van Der Elst and Dirk Medved, side-stepped Michel De Wolf, beat Rudi Smidts and, 69 metres after setting off, fizzed it past the great Michel Preud’homme. It was meaningful as well as mind-blowing. It secured a 1-0 victory that made Saudi Arabia only the second Asian team to advance from the group stage; “I’ll cherish that goal forever,” said Al-Owairan. “It was described as mythical. It was a dream for all Saudis and all Arabs. I just wish mobile phones and social media were around at that time!”