Lucaz Mendes delivered a stunning stoppage-time winner as Qatar edged Uzbekistan 3-2 in a thrilling World Cup qualifier at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium last night. The victory breathed new life into Qatar’s 2026 World Cup campaign, moving them to seven points from five matches, within three points of second-placed Uzbekistan in Group A.
The hosts seemed set for a comfortable win after a first-half brace from Almoez Ali, who combined expertly with Akram Afif. However, two second-half headers from Abbosbek Fayzullaev erased Qatar’s two-goal lead, setting up a tense finale. Mendes then stepped up in injury time, his left-footed strike ricocheting off the post and into the net, sparking wild celebrations.
Despite the win, Qatar coach Marquez Lopez was visibly frustrated, swiftly leaving the pitch after the final whistle. “We fought till the end, but our performance was inconsistent,” he said. His sentiments were echoed by Almoez, who admitted, “We made it difficult for ourselves after taking a two-goal lead. This is a vital win, and we must build on it.”
Qatar’s performance highlighted their vulnerability, a recurring theme in previous matches against North Korea, UAE, and Iran. Missing key players Abdelkarim Hassan and Edmilson Junior due to injuries, Qatar relied on Afif’s brilliance to orchestrate their attacking moves.
Afif’s creativity was evident in the 25th minute when he dribbled past four defenders before assisting Almoez’s opener. The duo struck again four minutes before halftime, with Afif’s pinpoint free kick finding Almoez for a clinical finish.
Uzbekistan’s fightback began in the 75th minute when Fayzullaev headed in Khojiakbar Alijonov’s cross. He equalized five minutes later, nodding home a Jaloliddin Masharipov delivery. With momentum on their side, Uzbekistan seemed poised for a point until Mendes’ late heroics dashed their hopes.
The match was marred by injuries and stoppages. Uzbek captain Eldor Shomurodov exited early with a groin injury, while Qatar’s Boualem Khoukhi and Abdullah al-Yazidi played through visible discomfort. VAR added to the drama, reviewing a potential red card for Mohammed Waad in the closing minutes.
Uzbekistan coach Srecko Katanec lamented the loss. “Luck eluded us at the crucial moment,” he said. “We showed resilience to come back but failed to see the game through. This is football.”
Qatar now turns their focus to a critical clash against the UAE in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, with hopes of climbing the standings as Group A leaders Iran pull further ahead.
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