Julen Lopetegui's Qatar Earns First World Cup Point with Late Equalizer

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Qatar earned their first-ever World Cup point by scoring a last-minute equalizer to draw 1-1 against Switzerland in their Group B match in California. The result not only boosts Qatar’s confidence but also reignites controversy over a VAR-reviewed penalty awarded to Switzerland despite offside concerns.

Qatar secured their first-ever World Cup point with a dramatic late equalizer against Switzerland in their Group B encounter on Sunday. The match took place in California, where a controversial penalty initially put the Swiss ahead before Qatar rallied to claim a 1-1 draw.

The opening stages saw Switzerland dominate, creating numerous chances that kept Qatar's goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada busy. The pivotal moment came in the 17th minute when Breel Embolo was awarded a penalty after Remo Freuler was brought down inside the box by Abunada. The decision followed an extended VAR review, during which replays appeared to show the Swiss player was offside in the buildup to the foul. Despite this, the penalty stood, and Embolo calmly converted to give Switzerland the lead.

The penalty decision attracted significant criticism, with ITV pundit Gary Neville among those condemning the ruling. Neville expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, questioning why the host broadcaster did not display the semi-automatic offside decision to viewers. "Everybody at home thinks it’s offside," he said. "Fifa are the host broadcaster and have the semi-automatic decision they can show us. Why are they not? Honestly, it’s like a dictatorship. It’s absolutely ridiculous."

Switzerland, led by captain Granit Xhaka and supported by players such as Denis Zakaria, Ruben Vargas, and Dan Ndoye, maintained pressure throughout the match but were unable to extend their advantage. Qatar gradually grew into the game and found a breakthrough deep into stoppage time. Homam Ahmed’s precise cross from the left flank found Qatar captain Boualem Khoukhi, who rose to head the ball past Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel in the 95th minute.

The late goal sparked jubilant celebrations for Qatar and marked a historic moment as they earned their first point on the World Cup stage. Qatar’s progress under former Wolves and West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui was underscored by the resilience shown against a strong Swiss side, highlighting improvements in their performance as the game progressed.

The draw keeps both teams vying for points in Group B, with Qatar demonstrating they can compete at this level despite their underdog status. The match also reignited debates regarding VAR decisions and transparency in officiating at major international tournaments.