Qatar earns first World Cup point with late equalizer
Boualem Khoukhi’s stoppage-time header gave Qatar a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their Group B opener at Levi’s Stadium.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Qatar claimed its first World Cup point on Saturday when Boualem Khoukhi scored in stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in Group B. The Associated Press reported that Khoukhi’s header came in the fourth minute of added time, denying Switzerland a win after a match it had largely controlled.
The late goal set off emotional scenes among the Qatar players, according to AP, with several dropping to the turf in celebration while teammates ran together to embrace. The result marked a sharp contrast from Qatar’s 2022 World Cup, when AP said the Gulf state lost all three group matches as host.
Swiss lead erased late
Switzerland went ahead in the 17th minute through Breel Embolo, who converted a penalty into the upper-left corner, AP reported. The penalty was awarded after Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada fouled Embolo in the 13th minute and was shown a yellow card.
AP reported that Abunada remained face down and appeared motionless for a couple of minutes after the collision before moving his legs and getting back to his feet. Embolo then scored from the spot, sending Swiss supporters at Levi’s Stadium into celebration.
Embolo’s goal came just over a week after he was cleared to enter the United States following a visa delay, according to AP. The 29-year-old forward applied for an urgent visa at the U.S. embassy in Bern on June 3, one day after he was denied boarding Switzerland’s team flight because of a 2018 criminal conviction that was finalized in April, AP reported.
Chances missed at Levi’s Stadium
Switzerland had more of the ball on an unseasonably warm June afternoon in Santa Clara, AP reported, with sprinklers running during a first-half break. The Swiss, however, failed to turn their control and chances into a second goal.
Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel kept Switzerland level early, saving a one-on-one chance from Edmilson Junior in the second minute, according to AP. Kobel also stopped a close-range effort from Ahmed Alaaeldin in the 90th minute before Khoukhi’s equalizer changed the match.
AP reported that thousands of empty seats were visible at Levi’s Stadium, the home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers. The venue hosted the Super Bowl four months earlier, and AP noted that Brazil and Colombia drew 70,971 there for a Copa America group match two years ago.
Different paths to the tournament
Switzerland entered the World Cup after going unbeaten in qualifying against Sweden, Kosovo and Slovenia, AP reported. Coach Murat Yakin’s team recorded four wins and two draws to reach its sixth straight World Cup, extending a run that dates back to 2006.
AP reported that Switzerland is trying to improve on its last World Cup performance, when it went out in the round of 16 after a 6-1 defeat to Portugal. The Swiss have not advanced beyond the quarterfinals at a World Cup, according to AP.
Qatar, coached by Julen Lopetegui, reached the tournament through a November playoff, AP reported. The team beat the United Arab Emirates and Oman after missing a direct qualification chance in the Asian group stage.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.