Qatar’s Boualem Khoukhi late strike saw them snatch a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in their opening Group B match at the FIFA World Cup 2026 earlier today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Breel Embolo penalty had broken the deadlock for Switzerland early in the first half in the San Francisco Bay Area, before the wasteful favourites were made to pay as Qatar earned their first ever point at a FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qatar, appearing in just their second Finals after hosting the 2022 World Cup, looked rusty and for the majority of the match were outplayed as Switzerland racked up 26 shots, before 35-year-old Khoukhi’s header four minutes into injury time sparked wild celebrations on the Qatar bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Swiss are seeking to progress to the knockout stages for the fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup but their inability to kill off a match they dominated will worry head coach Murat Yakin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Manuel Akanji offered Qatar the first big chance of the match in just the second minute as his defensive lapse sent Edmilson Junior through, but he could only shoot tamely at Gregor Kobel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That let-off woke up the Swiss, who were awarded a penalty on 13 minutes as goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada clattered into Remo Freuler, despite a suspicion of offside, and after a four-minute stoppage Embolo sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rest of the opening period was one-way traffic towards the Qatar box but Edmilson nearly caught the Swiss cold just before half-time, drawing a right-footed save from Kobel at the end of a rare foray forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The chances dried up in the second period with the most notable moments a Granit Xhaka drive from distance that whizzed narrowly over the bar and an Embolo poke that nestled in the side netting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But ultimately Switzerland were made to pay for their profligacy as Khoukhi powered in at the back post to bullet home a 94th-minute equaliser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Switzerland next play Bosnia on Thursday in Los Angeles, while Qatar meet co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on the same day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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