Qatar claimed a landmark FIFA World Cup™ point on foreign soil after a dramatic 90+4 own goal from Miro Muheim rescued a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in Group B in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Switzerland had led since Breel Embolo converted a 17th-minute penalty, and they finished with 26 attempts, but they could not find the second goal to settle the contest. In the end, a late Homam Ahmed cross, pressure from Boualem Khoukhi and a defensive header into the wrong net left the Swiss ruing missed chances and Qatar celebrating a result that mattered well beyond the final whistle.
How the match unfolded
Qatar had the first opening of the game in the second minute when Edmilson Junior ran clear after a slip by Manuel Akanji. The winger got his shot away, but it was placed too close to Gregor Kobel, who saved to keep Switzerland level.
Switzerland responded by taking control of the first half, with Dan Ndoye threatening on a couple of occasions before the breakthrough arrived. The decisive moment came in the 17th minute when Switzerland were awarded a penalty after Mahmoud Abunada fouled Remo Freuler. Embolo stepped up and converted to put Murat Yakin’s side 1-0 ahead.
The Swiss continued to create chances. Ndoye was highlighted as a constant threat and might have had a first-half hat-trick, while midfielder Michel Aebischer came close when his effort was cleared off the line just before the interval. Despite Switzerland’s superiority, Qatar carried a threat on the break, and Edmilson Junior again went close just before half-time, only for Kobel to save with his foot.
After the break, the match settled into a quieter rhythm for long spells. The second period was described as largely low-key, but Switzerland still had opportunities to extend their lead, with near-misses from Juan Vargas and Embolo keeping Qatar in the contest.
As the game moved into added time, Qatar finally found the moment they had been waiting for. Four minutes into stoppage time, substitute Miro Muheim, under pressure from Boualem Khoukhi, headed a Homam Ahmed cross past his own goalkeeper, Kobel, to make it 1-1 at 90+4. The late twist ensured Qatar snatched a point and left Switzerland frustrated at failing to turn their chances into a winning margin.
Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui underlined the significance of the result, calling it “historic” and noting the importance of staying composed after falling behind, before being “rewarded” with a goal that delivered a point “which had never existed” for them.
On the Swiss side, Murat Yakin pointed to the volume of chances created, saying his team had “26 shots” but “only ended up warming up the goalkeeper,” adding that Switzerland needed to improve “precision” and “belief” after getting into good positions without being clinical.
Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka echoed that theme, warning that missed chances can “come back to bite you,” and stressing the need to see out games at 1-0. He also pointed to a late loss of rhythm, saying Qatar got their moment in the 94th minute.
Mahmoud Abunada was named Superior Player of the Match for Qatar, despite conceding the penalty that put Switzerland in front.
Key stat and what the draw means
The match also carried a slice of Swiss history: Ricardo Rodriguez and Granit Xhaka, appearing in their fourth World Cup finals tournament, made a joint-record 13th appearance on the global stage.
For Qatar, the late equaliser delivered a first World Cup point in a tournament played away from home soil, while Switzerland were left to reflect on a performance that produced sustained pressure and 26 attempts but ended without the win their first-half dominance suggested.