Saudi Arabia plane catches fire during mid-air scare for Pizzi's squad

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Saudi Arabia plane catches fire during mid-air scare for Pizzi's squad image

The Saudi Arabia World Cup squad were left shaken up after seeing their plane's wing catch fire during a flight in Russia. 

The plane was headed to the city of Rostov-on-Don, where Saudi Arabia will play their second Group A clash against Uruguay. 

But those on board were alarmed to see flames spout from the wing due to what was termed a "minor technical malfunction". 

Thankfully the problem did not cause major damage to the plane, which made a routine landing in Rostov-on-Don on Monday with no harm caused to the squad. 

"The Saudi Arabian Football Federation would like to reassure everyone that all the Saudi national team players are safe, after a technical failure in one of the airplane engines that has just landed in Rostov-on-Don airport," the nation's federation confirmed in a statement shared on Twitter.

"Now they’re heading to their residence safely."

Saudi Arabia kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 5-0 reverse at the hands of hosts Russia in Thursday's inaugural match. 

Uruguay then await Juan Antonio Pizzi's men on Wednesday, before they close out their group stage challenge against Egypt. 

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