Football · Santa Clara
Switzerland 1-1 Qatar: Late Khoukhi header earns Qatar historic first World Cup point
Breel Embolo's 15th-minute penalty put Switzerland ahead but Boualem Khoukhi's stoppage-time header earned Qatar a precious point in the World Cup Group B opener.
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In brief
Switzerland took the lead through Breel Embolo's 15th-minute penalty but conceded a stoppage-time equaliser by Boualem Khoukhi to end 1-1.
After losing all three group matches as hosts in 2022, the Qataris earned their first point in tournament history.
The Swiss had 26 shots, 7 on target, but failed to score a second goal, with Dan Ndoye missing two clear chances early on.
The draw follows the 1-1 between Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina, leaving all four teams on one point after the first round of matches.
Missed chances haunt Switzerland
Switzerland dominated possession and created 26 attempts, 7 of them on target, but were wasteful. Dan Ndoye missed two glaring opportunities in the opening ten minutes, and despite Breel Embolo converting a penalty after Mahmoud Abunada fouled Remo Freuler in the 15th minute, the Swiss could not extend their lead. Goalkeeper Abunada made five crucial saves to keep Qatar in the game.
Qatar snatch a point at the death
Qatar, who lost all three matches when they hosted in 2022, were outplayed for long stretches but grew into the contest. Edmilson Junior's early chance was saved by Gregor Kobel, and the Swiss backline looked vulnerable at times. In the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, Boualem Khoukhi rose to head home a cross from the left, securing a 1-1 draw and Qatar's first ever World Cup point.
Group B hangs in the balance
The result followed the 1-1 draw between Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday, meaning all four teams in Group B are level on one point after the opening round of matches. Switzerland, last a World Cup quarterfinalist in 1954 when they hosted the tournament, must beat Bosnia on 18 June and Canada on 24 June to advance to the knockout stage.
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Sources and context
- RFICoupe du monde 2026: la Suisse rate ses débuts en concédant le nul face au Qatar (1-1)
- rts.chLa Suisse manque son entame au Mondial et finit sur un nul contre le Qatar
- Blick.chLa Nati se prend un gros coup de chaud face au Qatar
- RTBFCoupe du monde : le Qatar égalise à la 95e minute face à la Suisse, la Nati peut s'en vouloir - RTBF Actus
- Breel Embolo
- Swiss forward who scored the opening goal from the penalty spot.
- Boualem Khoukhi
- Qatari defender who scored the stoppage-time equaliser.
- Dan Ndoye
- Swiss winger who missed two clear chances in the first half.
- Mahmoud Abunada
- Qatari goalkeeper who fouled Remo Freuler for the penalty and made five saves.
- Murat Yakin
- Switzerland head coach.
- Julen Lopetegui
- Qatar head coach.
- Edmilson Junior
- Qatari forward who had an early scoring opportunity.
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- San Francisco, Dubai, New York City
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