Qatar celebrated a historic milestone on Saturday as a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser secured a 1-1 draw against Switzerland and earned the Gulf nation its first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup.

The Asian champions looked destined for another World Cup disappointment after trailing for most of the match to a first-half penalty from Swiss striker Breel Embolo. However, a late twist sparked wild celebrations among the Qataris and breathed new life into their Group B campaign.

The crucial moment arrived four minutes into stoppage time when a dangerous cross from Homam Ahmed caused confusion inside the Swiss penalty area. Qatar captain Boualem Khoukhi challenged for the ball, which ultimately deflected off Swiss defender Miro Muheim and into the net for an own goal.

The equaliser triggered scenes of jubilation as Qatar’s entire squad rushed onto the pitch to celebrate a landmark result.

For head coach Julen Lopetegui, it was a memorable start to life at the World Cup.

“We achieved one dream when we arrived here, to be here, and now today is another little dream,” Lopetegui said after the match.

“And we have the right to continue having the dream.”

The result represented a significant step forward for Qatar, whose World Cup debut on home soil in 2022 ended in disappointment with three defeats and no points.

Goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada endured a difficult afternoon but ultimately emerged as one of the heroes of the occasion.

The goalkeeper was responsible for the penalty that gave Switzerland the lead in the 17th minute after colliding heavily with Remo Freuler inside the six-yard box.

Freuler had raced onto a flick from Embolo before being brought down by Abunada. Referee Said Martinez immediately pointed to the spot, although a lengthy VAR review was required before the decision was confirmed.

Embolo made no mistake from the penalty spot to hand Switzerland a deserved lead after an impressive start.

The Swiss dominated much of the contest, creating 26 goal attempts compared to Qatar’s seven. They repeatedly threatened to extend their advantage but were frustrated by wasteful finishing, particularly from Dan Ndoye, while Michel Aebischer also saw an effort cleared off the line deep into first-half stoppage time.

Qatar struggled to create opportunities, with star forward Akram Afif closely marked throughout much of the match. Their best first-half opening came when Afif created space down the flank and supplied Edmilson for a first-time effort that was saved by Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

The second half became a tactical battle, with Qatar defending in numbers and Switzerland unable to find the finishing touch needed to secure victory.

That inability to kill off the contest ultimately proved costly.

While Qatar celebrated, Switzerland were left frustrated after dominating possession and chances without collecting all three points.

Swiss coach Murat Yakin admitted his side had paid the price for their lack of efficiency in front of goal.

“We had an idea, and we wanted to be very dominant, very attacking,” Yakin said.

“We created very good chances, but unfortunately, we weren’t always efficient. Maybe we weren’t smart enough, not precise enough in the end.”

The draw leaves Group B perfectly balanced after co-hosts Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina also played out a 1-1 draw, meaning all four teams sit on one point after the opening round of matches.

Qatar will now head to Vancouver for a crucial clash against co-hosts Canada on Thursday, while Switzerland face Bosnia & Herzegovina in Los Angeles on the same day.

For the Qataris, however, the immediate focus was on celebrating a result that secured a cherished place in the nation’s football history. After years of investment and ambition, the Gulf nation finally has its first World Cup point.

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Kunle Solaja

Scotland celebrated their first FIFA World Cup victory in 36 years on Saturday as John McGinn’s first-half goal secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Haiti in their opening Group C encounter.

Backed by thousands of passionate members of the famous Tartan Army, the Scots claimed three valuable points that could prove crucial in their quest to reach the knockout stage of a major tournament for the first time in their history.

The victory lifted Steve Clarke’s side to the top of Group C, ahead of five-time champions Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, who shared the points in a 1-1 draw earlier in the day.

Knowing that tougher tests against Brazil and Morocco lie ahead, Scotland approached the match with urgency and nearly broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Scott McTominay crashed a powerful effort against the post.

Their breakthrough eventually arrived in the 28th minute. A close-range shot from Che Adams was parried by Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide, but the rebound fell kindly to John McGinn, whose effort took a deflection before looping over the stranded goalkeeper and into the net.

The goal was particularly significant for McGinn. At 31 years and 238 days old, the Aston Villa captain became the oldest Scottish player ever to score at a FIFA World Cup.

Despite enjoying much of the possession, Scotland were unable to put the contest beyond Haiti’s reach and endured a nervous finish as the Caribbean side pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Haiti, making their first World Cup appearance since 1974, showed flashes of their pace and attacking threat but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.

Their best chance of the first half came in the 38th minute when Ruben Providence found himself in a promising position inside the penalty area, only to be dispossessed by Scotland defender Aaron Hickey before he could get a shot away.

Late opportunities also fell to striker Frantzdy Pierrot, who headed narrowly wide in the 85th minute and came close again in the dying stages. However, Scotland held firm to preserve their slender advantage.

Goalkeeper Angus Gunn enjoyed a relatively quiet evening, with Haiti unable to seriously test him despite their late pressure.

Scotland manager Steve Clarke acknowledged that the performance was far from perfect but was delighted with the outcome.

“We probably put the supporters through it a little bit,” Clarke told BBC Radio after the match.

“Everyone said it was a must-win game. We won the game. Defensively, outstanding. We probably could have been a little bit better with the ball, but who cares?”

At the final whistle, Scotland’s jubilant supporters celebrated wildly, singing their now-famous anthem, “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie,” as they marked a long-awaited return to winning ways on football’s biggest stage.

Scotland’s last World Cup victory came in 1990 when they defeated Sweden 2-1 in Italy. Since then, the nation had endured decades of frustration, including a 28-year absence from the tournament before qualifying for the 2026 edition.

Under FIFA’s expanded World Cup format, the three points significantly enhance Scotland’s chances of progressing beyond the group stage, a feat they have never achieved in eight previous World Cup appearances.

Attention now turns to a potentially decisive showdown against Morocco in Boston on Friday, while Haiti will seek to revive their campaign when they face Brazil in Philadelphia on the same day.

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By Kunle Solaja.

Before a capacity crowd of 80,663 spectators at the New Jersey /New York, Morocco made a strong statement of intent at the FIFA World Cup on Saturday, holding five-time champions Brazil to a 1-1 draw in a compelling Group C opener and reinforcing their credentials as one of the tournament’s most dangerous teams.

The Atlas Lions, who captured the world’s attention with their historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar 2022, showed once again that they can compete toe-to-toe with football’s traditional powerhouses.

Morocco were the better side for much of the opening half and deservedly took the lead in the 21st minute through midfielder Ismael Saibari.

The goal came from a swift and incisive counter-attack. Brahim Diaz threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the Brazilian defence, allowing Saibari to burst through the middle and calmly finish past the goalkeeper.

Brazilian fans react in disbelief after Morocco’s Ismael Saibari fired the Atlas Lions into a shock first-half lead during their FIFA World Cup Group C clash in New Jersey. Photo: Reuters/Dylan Martinez.

The North Africans continued to dictate the tempo and looked the more threatening side as Brazil struggled to impose themselves on the contest.

However, the South Americans drew level in the 32nd minute through a moment of brilliance from Vinicius Junior. The winger cut inside from the left flank before curling an unstoppable right-footed effort into the top corner to restore parity.

Despite the setback, Morocco remained disciplined and organised, frustrating Brazil’s star-studded attack for long periods.

Brazil improved after the break as coach Carlo Ancelotti introduced several substitutes and instructed his team to press higher up the pitch. The changes allowed the Seleção to enjoy more possession and territorial advantage.

Yet Morocco’s defensive structure proved difficult to break down. The Atlas Lions sat compactly, denied Brazil space in dangerous areas and successfully protected their goal despite sustained pressure.

The result will be viewed positively by Morocco, who earned a valuable point against one of the pre-tournament favourites and extended their reputation as a team capable of troubling the world’s elite.

With Colombia and Uzbekistan also in Group C, the draw leaves Morocco well positioned as they continue their quest to reach the knockout stages and build on their groundbreaking achievements from Qatar four years ago.

For the Atlas Lions, the performance was further proof that their rise in world football is no temporary phenomenon. Against the most successful nation in World Cup history, Morocco showed once again that they belong among the game’s leading contenders.

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