Qatar snatch historic World Cup point against Switzerland in Santa Clara

SANTA CLARA, United States (AFP) — Boualem Khoukhi rescued Qatar in dramatic fashion on Saturday, heading in near the end to secure a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in their first World Cup fixture.

Switzerland had gone ahead early in the San Francisco Bay Area through a Breel Embolo penalty, but their failure to turn control into more goals left the door open for Qatar to take their first point at the tournament.

Qatar are competing at the finals for only the second time, after staging the 2022 World Cup. Their preparations were disrupted when the war in the Middle East forced the cancellation of two warm-up matches, making the Switzerland game only their third outing since December last year.

For long spells, Switzerland were clearly on top. They finished with 26 attempts, yet 35-year-old Khoukhi punished them four minutes into added time, sending Qatar’s bench into celebration with a back-post header.

The match also carried personal significance for Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui, who was taking charge of a World Cup game for the first time. Lopetegui, 59, had been due to lead Spain at the 2018 tournament in Russia, but he was dismissed shortly before it began after news broke that he would join Real Madrid once the competition ended.

Switzerland, who are aiming to reach the knockout rounds for a fourth straight World Cup, will feel they wasted a major chance. Coach Murat Yakin’s side had the better of the contest but could not put Qatar away.

Qatar were gifted an early opportunity in the second minute when Manuel Akanji’s mistake released Edmilson Junior. The forward, however, produced a tame effort that Gregor Kobel dealt with.

That scare seemed to sharpen Switzerland. In the 13th minute, goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada crashed into Remo Freuler and a penalty was awarded, even with questions over a possible offside. After a four-minute delay, Embolo converted by sending Abunada the wrong way.

The rest of the first half was largely played around Qatar’s penalty area, though Edmilson almost surprised Switzerland shortly before the interval when he forced Kobel into a right-footed save during a rare Qatar attack.

With the match being played under fierce California heat, the second half produced fewer clear openings. Granit Xhaka struck from range and sent the ball just over, while Embolo later poked an effort into the side-netting.

Those misses proved costly. In the 94th minute, Khoukhi rose at the far post and drove his header in to deny Switzerland victory and give Qatar a landmark result.

Switzerland return to action on Thursday against Bosnia in Los Angeles. Qatar also play that day, travelling to Vancouver to face co-hosts Canada.