Almoez stars in Qatar’s win over Kyrgyzstan in World Cup Qualifiers
Striker Almoez Ali helped Qatar score their first win in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers. His goal and a brilliant assist helped Qatar overcome Kyrgyzstan 3-1 in a thrilling game at the Al Thumama Stadium on Thursday.
Almoez broke the deadlock against Kyrgyzstan in the 39th minute before Kyrgyz player Tamirlan Kozubaev hit a self-goal in the 63rd to help the two-time Asian champions double their lead.
Kyrgyzstan’s Alimardon Shukurov brought his team back into the game with a stunning 76th-minute strike. But five minutes later, Qatari substitute Ibrahim Al Hassan sealed the game with an assist from Almoez, in front of over 25,000 spectators.
The victory moved Marquez Lopez’s side up to four points in Group A, where they sit fourth. Uzbekistan currently lead the group. They played out a goalless draw against Iran in Tashkent on Thursday. Both teams now have seven points each, but the Uzbeks are ahead on goal difference.
The UAE, who drew 1-1 against North Korea, remained third. They are level on points with Qatar, but are ahead with a superior goal difference. Kyrgyzstan, under coach Maksim Lisitsyn, remains at the bottom with their third straight loss.
Lopez will push for greater accuracy from his players when they face Iran on Tuesday in the UAE. Qatar had squandered several goal-scoring chances against Kyrgyzstan.
“We created many opportunities and converted them on three occasions. I’m happy with our overall performance, and most importantly the three points which we’ve earned from this game,” said Lopez.
With Iran up next, Akram Afif said Qatar’s ‘best is yet to come.’
“It wasn’t an easy game, and we’ve earned a well-deserved win. We thank fans for their great support today. We aren’t looking at results of other games as we’re completely focused on ourselves. Now our next target is a win against Iran,” said the decorated Qatar captain.
Qatar’s starting line-up saw Abdelkarim Hassan making his first appearance for the national team since the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with Boualem Khoukhi also returning.
Qatar, looking for a positive result after their shock defeat to the UAE and draw against North Korea, started the game aggressively. They had several chances to score in the first half, but squandered most of them.
Qatar’s high-pressing football pushed Kyrgyzstan onto the back foot. Edmilson Junior and Afif came close to finding the net, but their shots narrowly missed the mark.
Kyrgyzstan struggled to build momentum early on, managing their first attempt after the opening quarter when Joel Kojo struck from just outside the box, only to see his effort drift wide.
Almoez then found the back of the net from close range, capitalising on a corner kick. Qatar resumed from where they had left off in the first half. Afif was again in the thick of action, testing Kyrgyzstan’s goalkeeper several times.
Qatar’s relentless pressure paid off in the 63rd. Afif’s dangerous cross from the right forced Kyrgyz defender Kozubaev into an unfortunate mistake, as he accidentally turned the ball into his own net, giving Qatar a 2-0 lead.
Kyrgyzstan, determined to fight back, found a lifeline through Shukurov. His powerful left-footed strike from outside the box deflected off Barsham’s glove before landing in the net, cutting the lead to 2-1.
Just five minutes after Shukurov’s goal, Ibrahim, who had previously scored against the UAE, sealed the victory with a clinical finish.
Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) moved Tuesday’s match between Qatar and Iran to a neutral venue in the UAE. Iran were initially scheduled to host their home tie in Mashhad.
“The decision to host the match in a neutral venue was taken after careful consideration of the prevailing security situation and in consultation with FIFA and the relevant stakeholders. Details regarding the specific venue in the UAE will be updated,” the AFC said in a statement.
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