Qatar secure historic first FIFA World Cup point with stoppage-time equaliser against Switzerland

Qatar scripted history by earning their first-ever FIFA World Cup point after captain Boualem Khoukhi struck deep into stoppage time to rescue a 1-1 draw against Switzerland at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Saturday.

The dramatic equaliser denied Switzerland what had appeared to be a deserved victory after the European side controlled much of the contest but repeatedly failed to convert their dominance into goals. Despite enjoying 68.1 per cent possession, registering 26 shots and making 42 touches inside Qatar’s penalty area, the Swiss were left to settle for a point.

Advertisement

Qatar had the first clear opportunity of the match in just the second minute when Edmilson Junior found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, but his tame finish was blocked by the Swiss keeper’s legs.

Switzerland gradually took control, with Dan Ndoye twice coming close, first forcing a save from goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada and later rattling the crossbar. Their persistence eventually paid off when Abunada brought down Michel Aebischer inside the box, allowing Breel Embolo to calmly convert the resulting penalty in the 17th minute.

Breel Embolo took the spot kick and brought the Swiss camp to life with a clinical goal in the 17th minute. Qatar and Switzerland continued to make chances, with some intense physicality involved, bringing Qatar’s Jassem Jaber and Switzerland’s Denis Zakaria into the book with yellow cards.

At half-time, the scoreline was 1-0 in favour of Switzerland, who dominated the proceedings in terms of ball possession and shots on target. Ndoye, from the Swiss camp and Qatar’s Edmilson Junior fumbled a couple of big chances for their respective sides.

Starting off the proceedings in the second half, Granit Xhaka hammered a strike from 25 yards, but it went over the crossbar. The action continued, with a 22-yard strike from Johan Manzambi being another opportunity that Switzerland missed in the 81st minute.

However, in additional time, sluggishness and timid gameplay from Switzerland cost them big time as El Ahmed played a cross, which went to Boualem Khoukhi, and a bullet-like header went past Kobel, with Qatar levelling the score in the additional time. The match ended with both teams sharing a point each and 2022 WC hosts earning their first-ever FIFA World Cup points.

(With agency inputs)