Large flags are displayed on the pitch at San Francisco Stadium before the national anthems were played in the World Cup Group B opener between Switzerland and Qatar on Saturday Jun 13, 2026. (Marko Ukalovic-Sports Radio Service)
by Marko Ukalovic
SANTA CLARA–Boualem Khoukhi helped his country of Qatar do something it took four years to accomplish.
The Qatari captain’s header in the fourth minute of stoppage time went off of Miro Muheim for an own goal as Qatar shocked the world drawing 1-1 with Europe’s Switzerland in both country’s opening match in Group B play on a warm Saturday afternoon at San Francisco Stadium.
Qatar, in front of a crowd of over 68,000 spectators, recorded its first ever point in a World Cup tournament. When they hosted the tournament four years ago, they went 0-3 in group play.
The tiny Middle Eastern country wouldn’t have had the opportunity to record its first ever point if it weren’t for the excellent play of their goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, who named the Man of the Match, who played the best match of his career making five outstanding saves including one from point blank range off of Dan Odoye early in the match that set the tone for Abunada’s day.
The Swiss looked like they were going to run away with the match with many quality chances in the first half. Th received a penalty kick in the 14th minute when a ball sent into the middle of box to Remo Freuler who was met by a punch to the face by Abunada while both players went up high in the air for the ball. Abunada was temporarily face down but managed to get up and finish the match with no further damage done.
Three minutes later, Breel Embolo cashed in the penalty that beat Abunada to the left side of the net for his first goal of the tournament.
Switzerland kept creating chaos inside Qatar’s side of the pitch with five big chances created but they weren’t able to put the ball into the back of the net the rest of the match. Ndoye had two chances to increase Switzerland’s lead but failed to get the ball past Abunada.
Qatar begun the second half with a quality chance from Edmilson Junior inside the box. Junior’s shot was stopped by Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel who came out to cut off the angle from Junior.
Switzerland had previously won six of their last nine matches when having a lead after halftime.
UP NEX: Switzerland takes on Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday at noon. Qatar battle with Canada also on Thursday at 3:00pm.
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