First World Cup surprise: Qatar punishes Swiss profligacy with late equalizer

In a stunning turn of events at the 2026 World Cup, Switzerland let a certain victory slip through their grasp, conceding a last-gasp equalizer to draw 1-1 with Qatar. The Swiss, heavily favored in the match, dominated play and created a plethora of scoring chances but were ultimately punished for their inability to convert and a late lapse in concentration.

The Eidgenossen took an early lead through a penalty converted by Breel Embolo, marking his 25th international goal. Following the opener, Switzerland controlled the game, dictating the tempo and consistently threatening the Qatari goal. However, a combination of missed opportunities and strong goalkeeping from Qatar's Mahmoud Abanada kept the scoreline narrow.

As the match wore on, Switzerland's attacking pressure began to wane, and they failed to put the game to bed. This complacency proved costly in the 94th minute when Boualem Khoukhi found the back of the net for Qatar, securing a historic point for the Asian champions in their World Cup campaign.

The result marks a significant upset and a missed opportunity for Switzerland, who will need to regroup and address their finishing issues before their next fixture. For Qatar, the late equalizer is a moment of triumph, earning them their first point in World Cup history and providing a significant morale boost.