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.
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.
