Qatar 1-1 Switzerland: Khoukhi snatches dramatic equaliser in Group B clash

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ShareQatar have won their first point at the World Cup, clinching a draw against Switzerland in second-half stoppage time in San Francisco.Boualem Khoukhi scored a 94th-minute equaliser for Qatar as they won their first-ever point at the World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Switzerland.Switzerland were made to rue their missed chances, scoring just once from their record 26 shots, which amounted to 3.24 expected goals (xG), before Khoukhi headed in late on to stun Murat Yakin's side.It was an open start to proceedings at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, with Edmilson Junior shooting straight at Gregor Kobel after a mistake from Manuel Akanji in the second minute, while Dan Ndoye forced a good save from Mahmoud Abunada before firing over from Ruben Vargas' low cross.Switzerland eventually found their breakthrough in the 17th minute as Breel Embolo fired in from the penalty spot following a foul on Remo Freuler by Abunada, who received a yellow card before being sent the wrong way by the Swiss striker.The Qatar goalkeeper did his best to atone for his error, denying Ndoye's half-volley and Vargas' poked effort, while Ayoub Al Oui cleared Michel Aebischer's first-time strike off the line before half-time.Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka went close early on in the second half, seeing a powerful effort from distance fly narrowly over the crossbar, while Vargas was denied again by Abunada in the 75th minute, which was also the first shot on target after the break.Time seemed to be running out for Qatar, who were still a threat on the counter, and they eventually reaped their rewards for a resolute defensive display as Khoukhi powered in a header from Homam El Amin's pinpoint cross.Wasteful Switzerland stunned by late Qatar showSwitzerland's 26 shots are their most in a World Cup match on record (since 1966), with Yakin perhaps now choosing to focus on shooting drills ahead of their game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 18.Qatar, meanwhile, have received a huge boost in confidence, scoring just their second-ever goal in the competition to win their first point, having lost all three group games when they hosted the tournament in 2022.Edmilson provided plenty of threat for Qatar, but just seemed to be missing the final touch, though Khoukhi made no mistake with his header in what can be considered the first upset of the tournament.Nevertheless, it was not all doom and gloom for Switzerland.Xherdan Shaqiri's name is always mentioned when they feature at a major tournament, but with the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward retiring from international football, Embolo has continued to step up on the big stage.Following his spot-kick, which was Switzerland's first-ever penalty at the World Cup, only Shaqiri (10) has scored more goals in major competitions for Switzerland than Embolo (six), with the 29-year-old taking his overall tally for his country up to 25.Qatar have won their first point at the World Cup, clinching a draw against Switzerland in second-half stoppage time in San Francisco.Boualem Khoukhi scored a 94th-minute equaliser for Qatar as they won their first-ever point at the World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Switzerland.Switzerland were made to rue their missed chances, scoring just once from their record 26 shots, which amounted to 3.24 expected goals (xG), before Khoukhi headed in late on to stun Murat Yakin's side.It was an open start to proceedings at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, with Edmilson Junior shooting straight at Gregor Kobel after a mistake from Manuel Akanji in the second minute, while Dan Ndoye forced a good save from Mahmoud Abunada before firing over from Ruben Vargas' low cross.Switzerland eventually found their breakthrough in the 17th minute as Breel Embolo fired in from the penalty spot following a foul on Remo Freuler by Abunada, who received a yellow card before being sent the wrong way by the Swiss striker.The Qatar goalkeeper did his best to atone for his error, denying Ndoye's half-volley and Vargas' poked effort, while Ayoub Al Oui cleared Michel Aebischer's first-time strike off the line before half-time.Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka went close early on in the second half, seeing a powerful effort from distance fly narrowly over the crossbar, while Vargas was denied again by Abunada in the 75th minute, which was also the first shot on target after the break.Time seemed to be running out for Qatar, who were still a threat on the counter, and they eventually reaped their rewards for a resolute defensive display as Khoukhi powered in a header from Homam El Amin's pinpoint cross.Wasteful Switzerland stunned by late Qatar showSwitzerland's 26 shots are their most in a World Cup match on record (since 1966), with Yakin perhaps now choosing to focus on shooting drills ahead of their game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 18.Qatar, meanwhile, have received a huge boost in confidence, scoring just their second-ever goal in the competition to win their first point, having lost all three group games when they hosted the tournament in 2022.Edmilson provided plenty of threat for Qatar, but just seemed to be missing the final touch, though Khoukhi made no mistake with his header in what can be considered the first upset of the tournament.Nevertheless, it was not all doom and gloom for Switzerland.Xherdan Shaqiri's name is always mentioned when they feature at a major tournament, but with the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward retiring from international football, Embolo has continued to step up on the big stage.Following his spot-kick, which was Switzerland's first-ever penalty at the World Cup, only Shaqiri (10) has scored more goals in major competitions for Switzerland than Embolo (six), with the 29-year-old taking his overall tally for his country up to 25.