Breel Embolo repeated this Saturday (13) a script he already knew, but experienced a different outcome. Scorer of Switzerland’s winning goal over Cameroon in the 2022 World Cup opener, the striker once again opened the scoring on his debut, but Khoukhi managed to equalize for Qatar in stoppage time. The match ended 1-1 at Levi’s Stadium, in Santa Clara (California), in the first round of Group B.
Embolo’s goal came from a penalty kick in the 16th minute of the first half. The play started with a move by Embolo himself, who headed Remo Freuler inside the area.
The midfielder controlled the ball and was hit by goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada. Honduran referee Said Martínez signaled the infraction and waited for the VAR to check for a possible offside at the origin of the play.
After confirming the decision, Embolo went to collect. The striker hit the right corner firmly and beat the Qatari goalkeeper to score the first Swiss goal in the 2026 World Cup.
The review of the move, which could indicate an offside in the Swiss attack, was not shown on the TV broadcast.
Khoukhi’s equalizer came in the 49th minute of the second half. The team arrived on the left side of the attack and lifted the ball into the area. The Qatari defender appeared better than Muheim and headed with power, with no chance of saving for goalkeeper Kobel.
Embolo reached the tournament after an off-field setback. His authorization to enter the United States was only released last week, after a period of analysis by American authorities.
The procedure was linked to a conviction received by Embolo in Switzerland in a case of threats that occurred in 2018. The uncertainty even delayed his trip to the team’s concentration.
The match was dominated by Switzerland, especially in midfield. Xhaka and Freuler led the plays, while Embolo, Vargas and Ndoye were always the targets of the ball.
Qatar had to lower the lines and maintain a more defensive style, focusing on counterattacks. The team even tried to get more involved in the final 20 minutes of the match and that’s how they achieved a draw, but opened up spaces that were not taken advantage of by Switzerland.
On the Qatari side, attacking midfielder Edmilson Júnior, born in Belgium, with a Brazilian father and roots in Itabaiana (PB), started the match and had a good chance in the first half, but was stopped by goalkeeper Kobel. Defender Lucas Mendes, born in Curitiba, remained on the bench.
As a result, the group has all its components with just one point. In the other group match, Canada and Bosnia drew 1-1.
