Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Qatar secured the first World Cup point in their history in dramatic fashion on Saturday, striking deep into stoppage time to rescue a 1-1 draw against Switzerland and throw Group B wide open after the opening round of matches.
The hosts looked destined to leave empty-handed after Switzerland took a first-half lead through Breel Embolo, but a spirited late push was rewarded when a stoppage-time attack produced a crucial equaliser and sparked jubilant celebrations among Qatari players and supporters.
The result means all four teams in Group B sit level on one point after the first set of fixtures, following Canada’s draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina a day earlier.
Switzerland entered the match as favorites and appeared on course to begin their campaign with a victory after dominating large stretches of the contest. The European side created chance after chance and finished with an impressive attacking tally, but their inability to convert opportunities ultimately proved costly.
Their breakthrough came from the penalty spot in the first half when Embolo calmly converted to put the Swiss ahead. At that stage, the goal looked likely to be enough as Switzerland controlled possession and continued to create openings against a Qatar side struggling to impose itself.
Yet the Swiss failed to deliver the second goal that would have secured the points.
Despite generating a large number of attempts on goal, Switzerland lacked the ruthlessness expected from a team many observers consider capable of making a deep run in the tournament. Their wastefulness allowed Qatar to remain within touching distance throughout the match.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, the hosts launched one final attack. Homam Ahmed delivered a hopeful cross toward the far post where Boualem Khoukhi rose to challenge for the ball. The resulting header found its way into the net after taking a decisive touch off Swiss defender Miro Muheim, with the goal later officially recorded as an own goal.
The equaliser stunned Switzerland, who had spent much of the evening looking comfortable despite failing to extend their advantage.
For Qatar, however, the moment represented a significant milestone. After previous World Cup disappointments, they finally secured their first point on football’s biggest stage and kept their hopes of advancing from the group alive.
The result also serves as a warning to Switzerland. While their attacking numbers suggested dominance, their inability to finish chances exposed a vulnerability that opponents may seek to exploit as the tournament progresses.
With every team in Group B now level on one point, the race for qualification remains completely open heading into the next round of matches, where a single victory could dramatically reshape the standings.
