Qatar's players celebrate after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification football match between Qatar and Uzbekistan at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on November 14, 2024. (Photo by Karim Jaafar / AFP)
Doha, Qatar: Lucas Mendes delivered a last-gasp winner as Qatar reignited their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying hopes with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Uzbekistan at Doha’s Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Thursday.
The two-time Asian champions looked set for a draw after relinquishing a two-goal lead but Mendes sent the home fans into raptures with his decisive strike in the 12th minute of stoppage time.
Almoez Ali, with two assists from Akram Afif, struck a first-half brace scoring in the 25th and 41st minutes. Uzbekistan mounted a spirited comeback, led by Abbosbek Fayzullaev, who netted twice in the 75th and 80th minutes to level the score before Mendes clinched the win.
Qatar's defender #12 Lucas Mendes celebrates his team's third goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification football match between Qatar and Uzbekistan at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on November 14, 2024. (Photo by Karim Jaafar / AFP)
The victory has revived Qatar’s campaign taking them to seven points, six behind Group A leaders Iran and three behind Uzbekistan. Marquez Lopez’s side is level with the UAE on points but trail on goal difference, placing fourth above Kyrgyzstan (3 points) and North Korea (2 points).
“We got three very important points by defeating Uzbekistan. We performed well and dominated in all aspects. We had many opportunities in the first half and were able to score twice,” Qatar coach Lopez said after the win.
Almoez said: “It was a challenging game. We made it difficult for ourselves after taking a two-goal lead in the first half. Our performance dipped in the second half but we made a strong comeback and scored a late winner.”
“These are three precious points and we hope to maintain our winning form. I want to congratulate and dedicate this win to the fans,” he added.
Qatar will face the UAE next Tuesday in Abu Dhabi.
Qatar's forward #19 Almoez Ali vies for the ball with Uzbekistan's midfielder #22 Abbosbek Fayzullaev during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification football match between Qatar and Uzbekistan at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on November 14, 2024. (Photo by Karim Jaafar / AFP)
Yesterday, the match’s opening stages were evenly contested with both sides hampered by multiple injury stoppages. Uzbekistan’s Khojiakbar Alijonov fired a shot wide from outside the box shortly after kickoff while Qatar’s Ahmed Al Ganehi sent a header off target. In the 21st minute, Uzbekistan lost Roma forward Eldor Shomurodov to injury disrupting their rhythm.
The match soon gained momentum after Almoez’s opening goal. Afif launched a fast break down the left delivering a precise cross that Almoez slotted home from the center of the box to give Qatar the lead.
Uzbekistan pressed for an equaliser and Fayzullaev forced a strong save from Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham but the hosts doubled their lead shortly after.
Almoez struck again this time connecting with Afif’s well-placed free kick from the right.
Uzbekistan continued searching for a response but Barsham was in top form, making critical saves. He denied a powerful shot from Azizbek Turgunboev from outside the box to keep Qatar’s two-goal cushion intact at halftime.
Qatar's fans cheer ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification football match between Qatar and Uzbekistan at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on November 14, 2024. (Photo by Karim Jaafar / AFP)
The visitors intensified their attacks after the interval with Otabek Shukurov narrowly missing the left post while Jaloliddin Masharipov’s effort was blocked by Barsham. Uzbekistan came close when Bobir Abdiholiqov struck the left post in the 66th minute before Fayzullaev’s two quick goals drew them level.
Receiving a cross from Khojiakbar Alijonov, the CSKA Moscow player headed in his first goal from close range and repeated the feat five minutes later, equalising with another header from the center of the goal.
The 12 minutes of stoppage time were action-packed with Barsham thwarting attempts from Alijonov and Farruh Sayfiyev before the game’s thrilling finale.
Boualem Khoukhi set up Mendes with a headed pass following a set-piece and the defender drove the decisive goal into the top left corner igniting celebrations in Qatar’s camp and among the jubilant fans.
Uzbekistan's fans cheer ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification football match between Qatar and Uzbekistan at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on November 14, 2024. (Photo by Karim Jaafar / AFP)
Uzbekistan coach Srecko Katanec said his team was unlucky to concede a last-gasp goal.
“Luck eluded us as we lost in the final moments. The match was tough as we expected but we didn’t perform at the level needed,” he said.
“We recovered well after conceding two goals but fell to a decisive blow at the end. That’s football.”
Qatar had last defeated Uzbekistan in a World Cup qualifier at this same venue back in 2008.
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Qatar beat Uzbekistan in the fifth round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers — Road To FIFA World Cup 2026
Qatar will face the UAE in the sixth round on Tuesday at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.#Qatar #AlAnnabi #Our_Journey_To2026… pic.twitter.com/kRked6W4n9
