Qatar beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the AFC Asian Cup, top Group E with 9 points

Qatar scored a sensational 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia to top Group E with the maximum nine points and progress to the round of 16.

Young Almoaz Ali, who is having the tournament of his life, scored twice to earn his team a famous win. It is also the first time Qatar has ever won all group matches in the tournament. 

The match, which was played out in front of a capacity crowd in Abu Dhabi but likely without a single Qatari fan in attendance, was a big challenge for the Al Annabi and they came out of it with flying colours.

Ali’s first goal came in the one extra minute that had been added to the end of the first half. Minutes earlier, Qatar’s Hassan Al Haidous’s penalty had been saved by the Saudi Arabian goalkeeper.

Saudi Arabia pushed hard in the second half and created several chances, but it was Qatar who scored again. Ali scored from a powerful shot in the 80th minute to ensure his team’s gritty win.

Qatar will take on Group D runners-up Iraq in the round of 16 on January 22 while Saudi Arabia will face Group F winners a day earlier.