IMAGE: Qatar’s Boualem Khoukhi scores a stoppage time purpose previous Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel through the FIFA World Cup match at San Francisco Bay Space Stadium, Santa Clara, California. {Photograph}: Eloisa Lopez/Reuters
Key Factors
- Qatar captain Boualem Khoukhi headed in Homam Ahmed’s cross after 94 minutes to disclaim Switzerland a victory.
- Switzerland did not convert 26 purpose makes an attempt to Qatar’s seven.
- The consequence left Group B huge open, with all groups locked on some extent every following co-hosts Canada’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina.
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 surprised and rueful after failing to transform 26 purpose makes an attempt to Qatar’s seven.
The consequence left Group B huge open, with all groups locked on some extent every following co-hosts Canada’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina.
IMAGE: Boualem Khoukhi celebrates scoring the equaliser. {Photograph}: Eloisa Lopez/Reuters
Qatar might be simply essentially the most happy amongst them, 4 years after their 2022 debut fell flat with a winless elimination on residence soil.
Your complete Qatar squad stormed on to the pitch after Khoukhi’s header fizzed by Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
It was a galling final result for the Swiss, who had taken the lead within the seventeenth minute with a penalty taken by Embolo after Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada smashed into Remo 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 Qatar stopper who got here off second greatest within the conflict.
IMAGE: Switzerland’s gamers rejoice after Breel Embolo scored the opening purpose towards Qatar through the FIFA World Cup match at San Francisco Bay Space Stadium, Santa Clara, California. {Photograph}: Darren Yamashita/Reuters
Referee Mentioned Martinez pointed straight on the spot nevertheless it took a protracted VAR examine to substantiate the penalty whereas a inclined Abunada — booked for the problem — was attended to by medical workers.
Whereas Michel Aebischer racked up a sixth Swiss shot on purpose, stopped on the road deep into first-half stoppage time, Qatar’s attackers have been left with scraps.
QATAR DANGERMAN
The Asian champions’ dangerman Akram Afif was well-shackled however discovered house down the flank late within the half to arrange Edmilson for a one-time shot saved by Kobel.
IMAGE: Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada fouls Switzerland’s Remo Freuler to concede a penalty. {Photograph}: Darren Yamashita/Reuters
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.
Regardless of the official attendance of 67,966, there have been banks of empty seats on the 70,000-seat residence of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers even when the group reached to the best stands.
Crimson-clad Swiss have been out in pressure and swamped a clump of thobe-wearing Qataris at one finish.
Swiss captain Granit Xhaka and veteran full again Ricardo Rodriguez moved previous Xherdan Shaqiri of their document thirteenth World Cup look for the nation.
Switzerland face Bosnia & Herzegovina at Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday, with Qatar heading north to satisfy co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on the identical day.
