“A fatal goal” gives Palestine a historic victory over Qatar in the Arab Cup

The Palestinian team achieved a historic victory over its Qatari counterpart with a free goal, from friendly fire, in stoppage time, today, Monday, for the first group, in the opening of the 2025 Arab Cup tournament currently being held in Qatar and extending until December 18 of this year.

The only goal came in the 90+5 minute, after Qatari national team player Sultan Al-Breik accidentally scored the ball into his own net.

The group also witnessed the victory of the Syrian team over its Tunisian counterpart with an unanswered goal, which was scored by “Nisour Qasioun” striker Omar Khribin from a free kick.

The start of the match between Qatar and Palestine was quick by both teams, before the hosts gradually gained possession of the ball, and the Palestinian team retreated with a defensive formation, forcing the Qataris to shoot from outside the penalty area without any significant threat to the goal of Palestinian goalkeeper Rami Hamada, ending the first half in a goalless draw.

With the start of the second half, the Qatari team continued its pressure, and Palestine goalkeeper Rami Hamada excelled in the 51st minute by clearing the ball shot by Al-Annabi player Sultan Al-Breik from inside the penalty area, before Hamada returned again to confront the dangerous Edmilson solo.

The Palestinian team’s rebounds almost paid off, when the right winger, Uday Al-Dabbagh, succeeded in the 65th minute by dodging the Qatari defenses and shooting from inside the penalty area, but his ball went close to the right post of Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada. The opportunity was followed in the 78th minute by his teammate Ahmed Al-Qaq wasting the most dangerous opportunity of the match with a shot from inside the penalty area, but it lacked concentration and went over the goal.

The 95th minute was titled Palestinian joy, after Mohamed Saleh raised a header that Qatari defender Sultan Al-Breik failed to clear as required, landing in the net of the Qatari team, giving Palestine the win.

The two teams will return next Thursday to compete in the second round of the group stage, with the Palestine national team facing its Tunisian counterpart at 6:30 pm UAE time at Lusail Stadium, followed at 8 pm by the hosts Qatar’s match against the Syrian national team at Khalifa Stadium.