FIFA World Cup 2026: Qatar draws 1-1 with Switzerland thanks to Boualem Khoukhi's last-minute goal.
In the match played at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, everyone was expecting an easy win for Switzerland.
The match started in a similar fashion. In the 17th minute, striker Breel Embolo converted a penalty to give his team a 1-0 lead.
The penalty was awarded for a foul by Qatar's goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada on Remo Freuler inside the penalty box.
Despite conceding a goal, Qatar's 26-year-old goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada did not give up. He made several brilliant saves throughout the match.
Switzerland's forwards tried to score multiple times, but Abunada stood like a wall. His performance became an inspiration for the team.
After the match, coach Julen Lopetegui said, "This isn't just a point; it's a symbol of our team's spirit and never-say-die attitude. I am proud of my players."
Just when it seemed Switzerland would easily win the match, Qatar made a comeback in the injury time awarded after the 90 minutes of play.
In the fourth minute of injury time (90+4), Boualem Khoukhi scored with a brilliant header, sending the ball into the goalpost.
With this goal, the entire stadium erupted in support of Qatar. Khoukhi's goal snatched the win from Switzerland, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
After this draw, the situation in Group B has become very interesting. In the group's first match, Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina also played out a 1-1 draw.
This means that all four teams in the group now have one point each. The upcoming matches are expected to be even tougher.
For Qatar, this draw is no less than a victory, especially since two of their practice matches were canceled due to the war situation in the Middle East.
This performance has not only earned the team a crucial point but has also boosted their confidence for future matches. It is also a memorable result for coach Julen Lopetegui.
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