News Focus
- Boualem Khoukhi heads home in the fourth minute of added time to earn Qatar a 1-1 draw
- Breel Embolo converts a first-half penalty to put Switzerland ahead
- The 2022 World Cup hosts secure their first-ever point at the finals
- Match takes place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
- Julen Lopetegui’s Qatar fight back after the Swiss dominate large periods of the game
Qatar claimed their first-ever World Cup point thanks to a dramatic late goal from captain Boualem Khoukhi. The defender struck in the fourth minute of stoppage time to cancel out Breel Embolo’s penalty and seal a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in their Group B opener.
The clash took place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the home of American football side the San Francisco 49ers. Despite the venue holding 69,000 supporters, television cameras showed large sections of empty seats as the two teams walked onto the pitch.
Julen Lopetegui’s side almost took a shock lead during the opening exchanges. Edmílson Junior robbed Swiss defender Manuel Akanji of the ball and raced through on goal, but the striker fired his shot straight at goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. Switzerland responded with pressure of their own, as Dan Ndoye forced a smart save from Mahmoud Abunada before sending another effort over the crossbar.
The European side broke the deadlock in the 17th minute. Remo Freuler met a knock-down from Embolo inside the box, and Abunada brought him down with a late challenge. After a lengthy delay for a VAR check regarding a possible offside, Embolo calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Switzerland continued to control the ball. Abunada produced an excellent reflex stop to deny Rubén Vargas, while Michel Aebischer saw his goal-bound shot cleared off the line before the half-time whistle. After the break, Swiss captain Granit Xhaka tested his luck from long range, but the intense heat began to slow the tempo as both sides took hydration breaks.
Murat Yakin’s team should have doubled their advantage with 15 minutes remaining. Embolo dragged his shot into the side-netting, before substitute Johan Manzambi fired inches wide of the far post. These missed chances proved costly for the Swiss.
In the dying moments of the match, left-back Homam Al Amin delivered a deep cross from the flank. The ball sailed over the defence and found Khoukhi unmarked at the far post. The centre-back powered his header into the corner of the net, sparking wild celebrations among the Qatar players and coaching staff on the touchline.