Burj Khalifa displays Saudi Arabia and Bahrain flags to celebrate reaching Gulf Cup final

Saudis defeated tournament hosts Qatar while Bahrain edged Iraq on penalties to reach the final

Saudi Arabia players celebrate after beating Qatar in the Gulf Cup semi-finals. Reuters

Burj Khalifa paid tribute to the two 2019 Gulf Cup of Nations finalists on Thursday night by displaying the flags of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain across the world's tallest building.

Saudi Arabia defeated hosts Qatar 1-0 in the semi-finals thanks to Abdullah Al Hamdan's first half goal, after Bahrain edged Iraq on penalties after the two sides played out a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Al Hamdan headed home after 28 minutes and the Saudis withstood late pressure from Qatar to reach the final for the fourth time in the last six editions.

In the earlier semi, Ali Madan scored the decisive spot kick for Bahrain after Mohamed Qasim Majid missed his attempt for Iraq in the shootout.

Bahrain, who have never won the tournament, came from behind twice in the first half thanks to Abdullah Al Haza'a and Mohamed Marhoon after Iraq led through Mohanad Ali and Ibrahim Bayesh.

The UAE may be missing from the final, but the Burj Khalifa still took the opportunity to congratulate the Saudi and Bahrain teams for reaching the final with a spectacular light display that saw both national flags displayed on the world's tallest building.

Burj Khalifa has often used light displays to celebrate major national and international moments, including New Year's Eve, Ramadan, and many global national and independent days.