Qatar Snatch Late Draw Against Switzerland in World Cup Group B Opener

Qatar captain Boualem Khoukhi headed in a last-minute equaliser to earn the 2022 World Cup hosts a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their Group B opener at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.

Breel Embolo had given Switzerland the lead from the penalty spot in the 13th minute, and the Swiss looked on course for a routine win before Khoukhi powered a header into the corner from a deep cross by left-back Homam Al Amin to rescue a point deep into stoppage time.

Switzerland were awarded their penalty after Remo Freuler was brought down by goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada inside the box. After a VAR check for offside, Embolo stepped up and sent Abunada the wrong way.

The Swiss had several chances to put the game to bed before Qatar's late leveller. Abunada made a sharp reaction save from Ruben Vargas, Michel Aebischer had a shot cleared off the line in first-half stoppage time, and Embolo hit the side-netting with 15 minutes left.

Qatar, managed by former Spain boss Julen Lopetegui, had their own early opportunity when Edmilson Junior got through on goal but shot straight at Gregor Kobel.

The result means both teams go into their second group games with one point each. Switzerland face Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 18, while Qatar take on co-hosts Canada the same day in Vancouver.

The match was played amid questions about crowd turnout, with a number of empty seats visible as the teams walked out at the 69,000-capacity venue. FIFA had already pushed back on similar concerns after images from the South Korea vs Czechia game in Guadalajara appeared to show large sections of unoccupied stands