Qatar shock wasteful Swiss at the death in 1-1 World Cup draw

Boualem Khoukhi headed home deep into stoppage time as Qatar stole a stunning 1-1 draw against wasteful Switzerland for their first ever World Cup point on Saturday.

Khoukhi beat Swiss defender Miro Muheim to a cross from Homam Ahmed at the far post in the fourth minute of time added on which set off huge celebrations.

The Swiss had led from Breel Embolo‘s 17th minute penalty kick after Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada brought down Remo Freuler.

The ambitious Swiss wasted several more chances and were also frustrated by Man of the Match Abunada in sweltering conditions at Bay Area Stadium before being punished at the death.

The result leaves all four teams in Group B tied as Bosnia-Herzegovina and Canada had also drawn 1-1 on Friday.

Qatar had qualified for the first time after being directly entered as hosts in 2022 where they lost all three games.

They had two big chances from Edmilson Junior in the first half and although further chances were sparse they were never completely out of the game despite being outshot 26-7 by the Swiss.

“It is extremely bitter. This is definitely not the start we wanted,” Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel told German broadcasters ZDF.

“We lacked precision and intensity, maybe also a little luck in front of goal. We have to deal with it. Maybe good that it happened in the first game.”

Qatar almost drew first blood in the second minute when Edmílson Junior took advantage of bad Swiss defending but failed to beat Kobel one on one from a left position.

But the favoured Swiss soon took control. Dan Ndoye‘s shot from the edge of the area was saved well by Abunada and Ndoye then blazed over from a top position.

Abunada then clattered into Remo Freuler and the Swiss were awarded a penalty which stood after a video check for offside in the build-up.

Embolo, who had arrived after the rest of the team owing to a visa delay, calmly sent Abunada the wrong way as he converted into the left corner for 1-0.

Denis Zakaria was denied a second from a right angle by the goalkeeper four minutes later, and at the end of the half Kobel got the better of Edmilson Junior again before Ndoye failed to beat Abunada once more and the keeper also kept out Ruben Vargas‘ low shot.

There was no change after the break with Abunada getting his finger tips on a blast from captain Granit Xhaka but no corner kick awarded.

Abunada denied Ruben Vargas once again, Embolo hit the side netting and substitute Johan Manzambi aimed wide left from a distance before the Swiss paid the price for all the missed chances as Swiss paper Blick spoke of a “QATARstrophe”.