After a flurry of chances:

LIVE: How will Switzerland fare against Qatar in the World Cup?

Boualem Khoukhi scored in the 94th minute to make it 1-1(Bild: EPA/BENJAMIN FANJOY)

First a waste of chances, then a last-minute goal: Switzerland squandered what seemed like a sure opening victory against Qatar at the World Cup on Saturday. The dominant Swiss conceded an equalizer in the 94th minute to Boualem Khoukhi against the reigning Asian champions, tying the match 1-1 (1-0) and thereby allowing Qatar to earn its first-ever point at a World Cup. 

Striker Breel Embolo had put coach Murat Yakin’s Swiss team ahead on a penalty kick in front of 68,000 spectators in Santa Clara (17th minute). The dominant Swiss (26-7 shots on goal) squandered a host of chances and conceded a surprising equalizer just before the final whistle on a header by Khoukhi. On Thursday, the Swiss will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Los Angeles, while the Qataris will visit co-host Canada in Vancouver shortly thereafter.

(Bild: AFP/FRAN SANTIAGO)

Just south of San Francisco, the Swiss—who are dreaming of their first World Cup quarterfinal since 1954—entered the match as clear favorites. But after just 100 seconds, the 2022 World Cup hosts nearly took the lead: Edmilson Junior found himself one-on-one with Gregor Kobel following a mistake by Akanji, but his outside-of-the-foot shot was saved by the BVB goalkeeper (2nd minute).

(Bild: AFP/FRAN SANTIAGO)

Irregular goal?
With long stretches of possession, Yakin’s team dictated the play, with Dan Ndoye creating the first good chances (6th, 10th). Shortly thereafter, the Swiss were able to celebrate a well-deserved lead: Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada brought down Remo Freuler, and Embolo coolly converted the resulting penalty. Freuler had started his run from a position that appeared to be offside, but no 3D visual evidence was provided to clarify the situation.

Switzerland then bombarded the Qatar goal in handball-style fashion but failed to add a second goal. In the 21st minute, Abunada denied Denis Zakaria a potential game-sealing goal, just as he did against Ruben Vargas (45’+3). Shortly before the halftime whistle, a shot by Michel Aebischer was cleared off the line by a Qatar defender (45’+6). The underdogs, coached by Julen Lopetegui, rarely managed to mount counterattacks; Edmilson Junior forced Kobel into another save with his foot (43').

(Bild: AFP/EMILEE CHINN)

Switzerland dominant, but harmless
The second half continued in the same vein. The 2024 European Championship quarterfinalists created a few chances, but a goal was nowhere in sight. In the 75th minute, Vargas was once again denied by Abunada, and Embolo, shortly after, by his own lack of precision (76'). As a result, the Swiss had to hold their breath until the closing stages, even though Qatar had little impact in attack. A low shot by Ahmed Alaaeldin (90') was not enough for the "lucky punch," which finally came in the 94th minute.

Qatar – Switzerland 1–1 (0–1)
Santa Clara, 67,966 spectators, Ref. Martinez/HON

Goals:
0:1 (17') Embolo (penalty kick)
1:1 (94.) Khoukh

Qatar: Abunada – Al-Oui (60. Fathy), Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Ahmed – Gaber (60. Boudiaf), Madibo (78. Manai), Laye – Edmilson Junior (88. Alhaydos), Afif, Abdurisag (60. Alaaeldin)

Switzerland: Kobel – Zakaria, Akanji, Elvedi – Aebischer (65. Rieder), Freuler (89. Jashari), Xhaka, Rodriguez (89. Muheim) – Vargas (79. Amdouni), Embolo, Ndoye (65. Manzambi)

Yellow cards: Abunada, Gaber and Zakaria