Qatar’s Ayoub Aloui in motion with Switzerland’s Breel Embolo at San Francisco Bay Space Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US, June 13, 2026. — ReutersÂ
Qatar celebrated their first World Cup level in a 1-1 draw towards Switzerland as captain Boualem Khoukhi headed in a stoppage-time equaliser to ship the Gulf nation into jubilation on Saturday.
Khoukhi rose highest to thump in Homam Ahmed’s cross on 94 minutes and cancel out a first-half Breel Embolo penalty, leaving the Swiss shocked and rueful after failing to transform 26 purpose makes an attempt to Qatar’s seven.
The consequence left Group B large open, with all groups locked on some extent every following co-hosts Canada’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Qatar will likely be simply probably the most happy amongst them, 4 years after their 2022 debut fell flat with a winless elimination on house soil.
Your entire Qatar squad stormed on to the pitch in ecstasy after Khoukhi’s header fizzed by Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, giving Spaniard Julen Lopetegui a landmark consequence teaching his first World Cup match.
“We achieved one dream when we arrived here, to be here, and now today is another little dream,” Lopetegui instructed reporters. “And we have the right to continue having the dream.”
Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada was additionally naturally thrilled, having fouled Remo Freuler handy the Swiss their Seventeenth-minute penalty.
“This is the first point in the history of the Qatari national team. Praise be to God in all circumstances,” stated Abunada.
“Honestly, the match was played with great determination from everyone. Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds.”
Switzerland could really feel the footballing gods abandoned them, although, having seen probability after probability go begging, with Dan Ndoye notably wasteful within the first half.
It was all arrange for the group favourites, although, when Abunada smashed into Freuler within the six-yard field.
Freuler ran onto a header by Embolo within the space, dinked the ball goalwards previous Abunada and was met closely by the stopper who got here off second greatest within the conflict.
Referee Stated Martinez pointed straight on the spot however it took an extended VAR examine to substantiate the penalty whereas a inclined Abunada — booked for the problem — was attended to by medical employees.
Whereas Michel Aebischer racked up a sixth Swiss shot on purpose, stopped on the road deep into first-half stoppage time, Qatar’s attackers had been left with scraps.
Qatar dangerman
The Asian champions’ dangerman Akram Afif was well-shackled however discovered area down the flank late within the half to arrange Edmilson for a one-time shot saved by Kobel.
With Qatar camped in rows in entrance of purpose, the match meandered within the second half and a raft of substitutions on either side of the drinks interval did nothing to interrupt the stasis.
That was till Ahmed discovered Khoukhi with a luxurious cross to grab the draw, leaving clumps of thobe-wearing Qataris leaping within the stands.
Switzerland should still fancy their probabilities of getting out of the group however the street forward is rockier and their incapacity to seal the win will likely be a priority for coach Murat Yakin.
They face Bosnia & Herzegovina at Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday, whereas Qatar, who defended doggedly to thwart the stylish Swiss, head north to fulfill co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on the identical day.
Regardless of the official attendance of 67,966, there have been banks of empty seats on the 70,000-seat house of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers even when the group reached to the best stands.
Purple-clad Swiss had been out in pressure because the staff’s captain Granit Xhaka and veteran full again Ricardo Rodriguez moved previous Xherdan Shaqiri of their report thirteenth World Cup look for the nation, with solely the late purpose spoiling their milestone match.
