World Cup 2026: Qatar Stuns Switzerland with Late Equaliser
Boualem Khoukhi headed in a stoppage-time equalizer as Qatar earned its first World Cup point after Switzerland finished with 26 attempts.
- On Saturday, Qatar secured its first-ever World Cup point in a 1-1 draw against Switzerland at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, as captain Boualem Khoukhi scored a dramatic 94th-minute equalizer.
- Breel Embolo converted a 17th-minute penalty for Switzerland after a foul by Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada on Remo Freuler, but the Swiss failed to capitalize on 26 total attempts throughout the match.
- Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui praised his team's "mentality" and "discipline" after the match, while official attendance reached 67,966 despite thousands of empty seats visible throughout Levi's Stadium.
- The result leaves all four Group B teams level on one point following Canada's draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka stating, "Every draw feels like a loss."
- Switzerland faces Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday in Los Angeles, while Qatar meets co-hosts Canada in Vancouver the same day as Group B teams pursue advancement.
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320 Articles
How Qatar created an exceptional night at the 2026 World Cup
The fifth minute of stoppage time in the match between Qatar and Switzerland was not just the moment Boualem Khoukhi scored the equaliser; it might have been the birth of a new chapter for the Qatari national team in the World Cup. The 1-1 draw gave “Al Annabi” their first point in the history of their World Cup participations, but the impact of this result goes far beyond the scoreline. The current tournament structure offers teams a path to qu…
The data also show that the Swiss dominate the game against Qatar especially in the first half. Then they lose the structure. A visual analysis.
After the Qataris were playing catch-up for the entire match during their World Cup opener against Switzerland, Boualem Khoukhi (35) finally scored the equalizer in the very last moments. A historic goal and a historic point for Qatar. And all thanks to a defender with a price tag of just 200,000 euros.
Qatar hold Switzerland 1-1 with dramatic stoppage-time strike
Santa Clara: Qatar might be able to finally move forward from its forgettable home World Cup four years ago, scoring a stoppage-time goal to earn a shocking 1-1 draw with Group B favourite Switzerland on Saturday. And oh, what a miss by the mighty Swiss. One TV headline back home at French language public broadcaster RTS blared: “QATARSTROPHE.” Boualem Khoukhi scored the equalizing goal on a header in the fourth minute of injury time to give Qat…
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Freedom OnlineQatar earn historic first World Cup point after draw with Switzerland
The 2022 hosts, who endured a difficult debut tournament without a point, showed greater determination to avoid another defeat on the world stage. The post Qatar earn historic first World Cup point after draw with Switzerland appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
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