Video: A night for history.. Qatar earns its first point in World Cup tournaments

Switzerland collapsed in the closing moments of the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and held Qatar to a 1-1 draw at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Saturday night, controlling the game for ninety minutes.

The point is Annaby’s first in his second appearance at the World Cup, after failing to score a point during the 2022 tournament at home.

Switzerland took the lead through Brielle Embolo’s penalty kick in the 17th minute, before Khukhi Boualem saved Qatar with a deadly header in the 90+5th minute to leave Group B open for chance as the four teams were level on one point after 1-Herze beat Canada in the first leg between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The match was heated from the start as the Qataris had their first chance through Edmilson Junior, who was saved by Kopel in the second minute, before the Swiss recovered and dominated the game with a tremendous attacking press that ended with a free kick awarded by the referee after the goalkeeper in the Qatari box. Embolo calmly slotted it home in the 17th minute as Switzerland continued their devastating attack and almost doubled their lead through Zakaria, Abecher and Vargas. But they lacked the finishing touch, even though they deserved to lead by a comfortable margin.

After returning from the dressing room, the match did not change much as Switzerland continued to control the game while the Qatari team suffered from a lack of attacking play, but the Qatari defense became more cohesive as time went on, allowing Al-Anabi to limit the losses, despite repeated dangerous situations for the Swiss team in the 71st minute and in the 8th minute. achieving their first victory.

But in added time, specifically in the 90+5th minute, Khukhi Boualem was able to equalize with a powerful header after a neat pass to score the decisive goal that saved the Qatari team from certain defeat and ended the Swiss dominance that did not turn into victory.

With this draw, Group B remains open to all possibilities as four teams (Switzerland, Qatar, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina) are tied on one point each in a group that promises plenty of excitement and competition over the next two rounds.