Qatar and Switzerland Finish Level in Group B Opener

Qatar and Switzerland met on Saturday night at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara in the final match of the first round in World Cup Group B. The game came a day after Canada and Bosnia drew 1-1 in the same group, leaving the winner here, if there was one, with a chance to create separation. Qatar arrived as the underdog, and coach Julen Lopetegui said before kickoff, “Our rivals are better than us, but that does not mean we will surrender.”

Qatar lined up Pedro Miguel and 35-year-old Boualem Khoukhi in central defense against a much stronger opponent. Switzerland came in as the clear favorite and was expected to settle for nothing less than victory. Murat Yakin selected Denis Zakaria as one of three center backs instead of Silvan Widmer, while Breel Embolo led the attack. Switzerland also relied on the experience of Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez and captain Granit Xhaka, who together had 365 international appearances before the match.

Referee Said Martinez of Honduras started the match, and early on a defensive mistake allowed Edmilson Junior to break into the box before goalkeeper Yann Sommer was alert and stopped the danger. Both sides were listed in their expected formations, with Qatar in a 4-3-3 and Switzerland in a 3-5-2.

After the opening round, Bosnia and Canada each had one point from their 1-1 draw, while Qatar and Switzerland both stood on zero points from a 0-0 scoreline. Group B continues on June 18, when Switzerland faces Bosnia in Los Angeles, and on June 19, when Canada plays Qatar in Vancouver. The third round follows on June 24, with Switzerland against Canada in Vancouver and Bosnia against Qatar in Seattle.