Qatar 1-1 Switzerland - 2026 FIFA World Cup result as Boualem Khoukhi's stoppage-time header earns historic first point at finals

Boualem Khoukhi etched his name into Qatari footballing folklore after his stoppage-time header sealed their first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup finals.

Homam El-Amin floated in a delivery from the left-hand side and Khoukhi rose like a salmon to power home a bullet header past Gregor Kobel.

But the inquest will begin in Switzerland after a wasteful display which yielded a total of 27 shots on goal.

Breel Embolo scored their only goal of the game from the penalty spot in an incident shrouded in controversy.

Qatari shot-stopper Mahmud Abunada was rightly penalised for bringing down Remo Freuler in the box despite strong suspicions of offside.

Murat Yakin's side spurned chance after chance in a bid to extend their lead but Abunada was in inspired form.

After making a series of saves to deny Dan Ndoye and a fine fingertip reaction to push over Granit Xhaka's strike, you sensed that the Swiss would come to rue those missed chances.

And that's exactly what happened as Khoukhi gave Julen Lopetegui's side a hard-earned share of the spoils.

Qatar next face co-hosts Canada on June 18, while Switzerland will hope to get their first win of the finals against Bosnia and Herzegovina the same day.

After yesterday's 1-1 draw between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, all four teams are level in Group B with one point each from the opening round of games.

Check out the standings here.

Khouki will claim the headlines for his late header, but Mahmud Abunada produced an outstanding performance between the sticks.

He was integral to Qatar claiming their first-ever World Cup finals point!

Qatar have claimed their first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup finals!

Boualem Khoukhi's stoppage time header gives Julen Lopetegui's side a hard-earned draw to punish the wasteful Swiss.

Well, I spoke about that sucker punch and Qatar have delivered it right at the death!

Khouki rises highest at the far post and powers home a superb header past Kobel from Al Amin's cross.

Alaaeldin has a go from distance and Kobel makes a comfortable save, but the danger of a Qatar sucker punch is still there as we head into six added minutes.

Rodriguez is replaced by Muheim.

Edmilson Junior's day comes to an end as he's replaced by Al-Haydos.

The Freiburg midfielder takes aim from outside the box, and his right-footed strike goes just wide of the left-hand post.

The Burnley frontman replaces Vargas.

Manai replaces Madibo for Qatar's fourth change.

Abunada has had a fine game in between the sticks for Qatar, keeping out another shot from Vargas.

Embolo then has a separate opportunity, as he misses the target from close range.

You have to wonder whether Murat Yakin's side will come to rue these missed opportunities.

You cannot fault the endeavour of Edmilson Junior, who races into the Swiss box before losing his footing.

Boudiaf then takes aim from the edge of the area and sees his shot sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Whitney's Houston's I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) is blasted out over the speakers, as both sets of players wait for the music to stop before the game gets back underway.

It's an enticing delivery from the Sunderland man, but he fails to find a Swiss team-mate.

The game is still in the balance heading into the next hydration break, but Qatar have not shown any threat so far in this second half.

Manzambi replaces Ndoye.