Qatar snatched their first FIFA World Cup point as Boualem Khoukhi's header four minutes into added time earned them a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in the San Francisco Bay Area sunshine on Saturday lunchtime.
Match Highlights
https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/highlights
Match Report
Breel Embolo’s 17th-minute penalty looked set to prove the difference against a Qatar side competing at the World Cup for the first time on foreign soil. Instead substitute Muheum, under pressure from Boualem Khoukhi, headed a Homam Ahmed cross past his own goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel, to leave the Swiss ruing their lack of cutting edge in a match in which they had 25 attempts.
Murat Yakin's men had much the better of the first half with Dan Ndoye threatening a couple of times already before Embolo’s goal, a spot-kick awarded after Mahmoud Abunada's foul on Remo Freuler. Ndoye might have had a first half hat-trick while midfielder Michel Aebischer saw a shot cleared off the line just before the interval.
Qatar had actually had the opening opportunity when Edmilson Junior ran clear following a slip by Manuel Akanji in the second minute. However, the winger placed his shot too close to goalkeeper Kobel. Despite Switzerland’s supremacy, the same player threated again just before the break but Kobel saved with his foot.
By comparison, the second period was largely a low-key affair until, after near-misses from Juan Vargas and Embolo, Muheim ensured a dramatic late twist. Switzerland are unbeaten in their last seven World Cup opening games but it's Qatar, tournament hosts last time out, who were celebrating at the finish.
Line-ups
Qatar XI: Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Edmílson Junior, Akram Afif, Assim Madibo, Homam Al-Amin, Yusuf Abdurisag, Mahmoud Abunada, Jassem Gaber, Ayoub Al-Oui, Issa Laye
Subs: Lucas Mendes, Hasan Al-Haydos, Abdulaziz Hatim, Karim Boudiaf, Ahmed Alaaeldin, Ahmed Fathi, Mohammed Muntari, Almoez Ali, Sultan Al-Brake, Meshaal Barsham, Ahmed Al-Ganehi, Salah Zakaria, Mohamed Al-Mannai, Al-Hashmi Al-Hussain, Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid
Switzerland XI: Rodriguez, Xhaka, Freuler, Elvedi, Embolo, Akanji, Kobel, Zakaria, Michel Aebischer, Rubén Vargas, Dan Ndoye
Subs: Mvogo, S.Widmer, Cedric Itten, Sow, Eray Cömert, Miro Muheim, Christian Fassnacht, Okafor, Fabian Rieder, Ardon Jashari, Zeki Amdouni, Marvin Keller, Aurèle Amenda, Luca Jaquez, Johan Manzambi
Echecity
31
What is Okafor doing at the bench. You have a prolific striker who would have converted most of those opportunities that were wasted, and you refuse to use him. The Switzerland team now pays the price. Congratulations to Qatar for converting the only clear opportunity you have in this match.
caodeklopt
21
Switzerland played nonsense they should have won the game at first half 🙄
Raocmnosty
20
European teams are overrated players
Mujeebgaming
8
even the cross prior to penalty was clearly offside.. they tried to robbb Qatar but they bounced back