Qatar earned their first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 1-1 draw against Switzerland in their Group B opener. A stoppage-time equaliser sparked celebrations for the Gulf nation and denied the Swiss what looked set to be a winning start to their campaign.
Switzerland appeared on course for victory after taking the lead in the first half through Breel Embolo. However, Qatar fought until the final whistle and found a breakthrough in the 94th minute when Boualem Khoukhi's pressure forced an own goal from Miro Muheim.
Homam Ahmed delivered a dangerous cross into the box deep into added time. Muheim, while trying to deal with the delivery and under pressure from Khoukhi, accidentally headed the ball into his own net. The late goal secured a historic point for Qatar and left Switzerland frustrated after dominating much of the match.
The result keeps Group B completely balanced, with every team sitting on one point after co-hosts Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina also played out a 1-1 draw.
Switzerland Dominate But Fail to Finish Chances
Switzerland created numerous opportunities throughout the match but failed to convert their dominance into a comfortable win. Murat Yakin’s side attempted 26 shots compared to Qatar’s seven and generated 3.24 expected goals (xG), yet they managed to score only once.
The match started at a lively pace at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Qatar threatened early when EdmĂlson Junior capitalised on a mistake by Manuel Akanji in the second minute, but his effort went straight at Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
At the other end, Dan Ndoye tested Mahmoud Abunada with a strong effort before later missing another opportunity from a low cross by Rubén Vargas.
Embolo Gives Switzerland First-Half Lead
Switzerland broke the deadlock in the 17th minute. Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada fouled Remo Freuler inside the penalty area, giving the Swiss a penalty. Abunada received a yellow card for the challenge.
Breel Embolo stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and putting Switzerland ahead.
After his mistake, Abunada responded with several important saves. He denied Ndoye’s half-volley and stopped Vargas from close range. Qatar also received defensive support from Ayoub Al Oui, who cleared Michel Aebischer’s effort off the goal line before half-time.
Qatar Stay Resilient After the Break
Switzerland continued to push for a second goal in the second half. Captain Granit Xhaka came close with a powerful long-range strike that narrowly flew over the crossbar.
Vargas then forced another save from Abunada in the 75th minute. It was the first shot on target of the second half and another reminder of Switzerland’s inability to finish their chances.
Despite spending long periods under pressure, Qatar remained dangerous on counter-attacks. Their disciplined defensive display kept them in the game and eventually paid off in dramatic fashion.
As the match entered stoppage time, Homam El Amin delivered an accurate cross into the penalty area. Khoukhi attacked the ball aggressively, and the resulting pressure led to Muheim’s unfortunate own goal, sending Qatar’s players and supporters into celebration.
Historic Achievement for Qatar
The draw represents a major milestone for Qatar. The nation had lost all three of its group-stage matches when it hosted the World Cup in 2022 and had never earned a point in the tournament before.
The late equaliser also produced only Qatar’s second-ever World Cup goal and provided a huge boost to the team’s confidence heading into the remainder of the competition.
EdmĂlson Junior was one of Qatar’s most dangerous attacking players throughout the game. Although he could not find the finishing touch, Khoukhi ensured Qatar made the most of their biggest opportunity.
Embolo Continues to Shine for Switzerland
While Switzerland will be disappointed with the result, there were still positives for the team. Embolo once again delivered on the international stage with another important goal.
His successful penalty was Switzerland’s first-ever World Cup penalty goal. Among Swiss players in major international tournaments, only Xherdan Shaqiri has scored more goals than Embolo. Shaqiri recorded 10 goals before retiring from international football, while Embolo now has six.
The 29-year-old striker also increased his overall tally for Switzerland to 25 international goals, continuing to establish himself as one of the country's most reliable attackers.
Switzerland will now turn their attention to their next Group B match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 18, while Qatar will look to build on the confidence gained from securing a historic first World Cup point.