Qatar earned the first World Cup point in their history after scoring deep into added time to draw with Switzerland in a dramatic Group B encounter. A match that appeared destined to end in defeat was transformed in the 94th minute when Boualem Khoukhi rose to meet a cross from Homam El Amin and headed the ball into the net.
The goal sparked emotional celebrations among Julen Lopetegui’s players, who had spent much of the contest defending against sustained Swiss pressure. Until that moment, Switzerland looked set to collect all three points and move into a strong position within the group.
Instead, Qatar’s persistence was rewarded at the very end, producing a result that represented a significant milestone for the national team on football’s biggest stage.
Switzerland fail to turn dominance into victory
For long stretches, the match was controlled by Murat Yakin’s side. Switzerland dictated possession, created the majority of the opportunities, and appeared comfortably on course for victory after taking the lead in the first half.
The breakthrough came from the penalty spot when Breel Embolo converted after goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada brought down Remo Freuler inside the area. However, television replays suggested that Freuler may have been marginally offside during the build-up to the incident.
Despite establishing the advantage, Switzerland repeatedly failed to put the contest beyond doubt. Dan Ndoye missed several promising chances, while Ruben Vargas and Embolo were also unable to convert clear opportunities.
Those missed chances ultimately proved costly as the Swiss side saw two valuable points slip away in the closing moments.
A landmark moment for Qatar
The result carried special significance given Qatar’s difficult experience at the previous World Cup. Four years earlier, they became the first host nation to lose its opening match, the first to be eliminated after two games and the first host to finish the group stage without a single point.
That campaign ended with three defeats, one goal scored, and seven conceded, leaving Qatar statistically as the tournament’s lowest-performing team.
Against Switzerland, many of the match statistics again painted an unfavourable picture. The Europeans finished ahead in key areas such as possession, shots, corners, and expected goals. Yet Qatar found a way to secure a positive outcome when it mattered most.
Following the final whistle, Lopetegui praised his players for their attitude and commitment. The Spanish coach said he was proud of the mentality and discipline displayed by the squad, adding that belief and hard work had helped create the fortune required to achieve such a memorable result.
Attention turns to the next group fixtures
The draw leaves both teams with work still to do in Group B as the competition continues.
Switzerland’s next assignment will be against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 June.
Qatar, meanwhile, will face co-host Canada later that same day in Vancouver as they look to build on a result that delivered the first World Cup point in the nation’s history.