Palestine Claims Historic Arab Cup Victory Over Qatar with 95th-Minute Goal
Lusail, Qatar - A dramatic, last-gasp header from mohamed Saleh in the 95th minute secured a historic 1-0 victory for Palestine over hosts Qatar in their opening match of the Arab Cup on Tuesday. The win marks Palestine’s first-ever victory against Qatar in a competitive international match and provides a significant boost to their campaign in the tournament.
The tightly contested Group A encounter saw both sides create opportunities, but neither could break the deadlock for over 90 minutes. Palestine’s attempts included a near miss in the 65th minute when a shot narrowly missed the right post of Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada, and a wasted chance from Ahmed Al-Qaq in the 78th minute, sending a shot over the goal. However, Saleh’s late intervention, capitalizing on a defensive error by Sultan Al-Breik, ultimately proved decisive.
This result is a landmark moment for Palestinian football, offering a rare moment of celebration and national pride. The victory places Palestine in a strong position within Group A, alongside Tunisia and Syria. Palestine will next face Tunisia at Lusail Stadium next Thursday at 6:30 pm UAE time, while Qatar will look to rebound against Syria at Khalifa Stadium at 8 pm the same day.
