Qatar snatch historic first World Cup point against wasteful Switzerland

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Qatar produced a dramatic late equaliser yesterday to earn a 1–1 draw against Switzerland in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B opener at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California. After hosting the 2022 edition and exiting winless from the group stage, the Gulf side were adamant they were not in this campaign to make up the numbers under coach Lopetegui.

Switzerland started on the front foot and were rewarded in the 17th minute when Breel Embolo calmly converted from the penalty spot after a VAR review ruled that Remo Freuler had been fouled in the box. The decision followed a chaotic scramble involving Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, who lunged out with a flying fist that struck Freuler, leading to the spot-kick.

From that point, Switzerland controlled long stretches of the match, dominating possession and territory under Murat Yakin. They carved out a steady stream of chances but were repeatedly denied by wasteful finishing and inspired goalkeeping. Dan Ndoye and Ruben Vargas both went close, while Denis Zakaria tested Abunada from distance as Switzerland pushed for a second goal.

Despite the early setback, Abunada grew into the game and produced a series of crucial saves. He reacted sharply to deny Ndoye from close range and later stood firm after Switzerland pounced on a loose ball inside the area. Michel Aebischer also somehow failed to convert at the back post after Embolo squared across goal, summing up Switzerland’s wastefulness.

Qatar offered little in open play, with Almoez Ali — the country’s all-time leading goalscorer with 60 international goals — left on the bench for much of the match, while Akram Afif remained their main outlet on the rare occasions they broke forward. 

Just as Switzerland looked set to see out a deserved victory, Qatar struck in stoppage time. Homam Ahmed delivered a superb cross from the left, and Boualem Khoukhi rose above the defence to power a header beyond Gregor Kobel, sparking jubilant celebrations on the Qatar bench.

The result followed the earlier 1–1 draw between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada, leaving all four teams level on points after the opening round in a tightly balanced Group B.

The match drew an official attendance of roughly 67,000, though the figure raised eyebrows, with empty seats clearly visible in several sections of the stadium.