Saudi Arabia match 1979 record by winning first two Arabian Gulf Cup games

Saudi Arabia have achieved a feat that had eluded them for 47 years after beating Oman 3-0 in the Arabian Gulf Cup “Gulf 27”.

The victory came on Saturday at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, in the second round of Group A fixtures. It was Saudi Arabia’s second consecutive win in the competition, following their 1-0 victory over Kuwait in their opening match.

The result leaves Saudi Arabia top of the group with six points, two ahead of Iraq in second place.

According to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiyah, this is the first time Saudi Arabia have won their opening two matches at the Arabian Gulf Cup since the fifth edition of the tournament in 1979.

Saudi Arabia began Gulf 5 with a 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates before defeating Oman 4-0. Their win over Oman on Saturday means they have repeated that sequence 47 years later, although with different scorelines.

The achievement did not lead to the title in 1979. Iraq won the tournament after claiming victory in all of their matches and finishing at the top with 18 points. Saudi Arabia ended the competition in third place, behind runners-up Kuwait.

Saudi Arabia are also the first team to secure qualification for the semi-finals of Gulf 27. They will face Iraq in their final group match next Tuesday and need only a draw to finish top of Group A.

Al Riyadiyah highlighted the statistical milestone in a post dated 26 September 2026, noting that Saudi Arabia had previously last won their opening two Arabian Gulf Cup matches in 1979, against the United Arab Emirates and Oman.