The China Mail - Qatar hold on to beat UAE and qualify for 2026 World Cup

The 2022 World Cup hosts, who did not make it out of the group stage three years ago in their first ever appearance at the tournament, triumphed in the must-win clash at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium thanks to second-half goals from captain Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel.

Akram Afif, the two-time Asian Player of the Year, got both assists.

The win meant Qatar, winners of the past two Asian Cups, finished top of Group A in the fourth round of Asian qualification and therefore booked their place in next summer's finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The UAE, who needed only a draw to progress to a second World Cup in their history, will next month meet the loser of the Group B decider between Saudi Arabia and Iraq in a two-legged tie, with the winner going into an intercontinental playoff.

The Saudis host Iraq in Jeddah later on Tuesday where the former also require only a draw to advance.

It was Qatar, coached by former Spain, Real Madrid and West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui, who created the first chance of the clash with the UAE, Sultan Al Brake forcing a fine, close-range save from Khalid Essa as Ayoub Al Ouwi flashed the rebound wide.

Not long after, UAE defender Lucas Pimenta headed inches wide from a Caio Lucas cross.

At the other end, Mohammad Al Mannai headed off target from Edmilson Junior's brilliant cross from the right. Completely unmarked, the Belgian-born forward should have scored.

However, Qatar were celebrating four minutes into the second half, when Khoukhi met Afif's in-swinging free-kick to head past Essa.

The hosts then doubled their lead in the 74th minute from yet another set-piece, this time Essa misjudging an Afif free-kick to leave Pedro Miguel to head into the empty net at the back post.

Late on, Qatar had Tarek Salman sent off for a studs-up tackle, before, in the eighth minute of injury-time, UAE substitute Sultan Adil reduced the deficit with a fine volley.

Qatar, who made unwelcome history in 2022 by becoming the first World Cup hosts to lose all three group games, saw out the match to take their place on merit at the 2026 edition.

J.Thompson--ThChM