Switzerland, Qatar draw 1‑1 in World Cup opener

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (Interstat) — Switzerland and Qatar played to a 1-1 draw Saturday at Levi’s Stadium in a World Cup group stage match.

Qatar’s Boualem Khoukhi scored a header in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time to level the match. Breel Embolo had given Switzerland the lead earlier in the half with a goal.

Mahmoud Abunada provided the assist for Khoukhi’s goal and received a yellow card in the 16th minute. Jassem Gaber also had an assist and was cautioned in the 23rd minute. Switzerland’s Denis Zakaria, who assisted Embolo, was booked in the 42nd minute.

Both teams entered the tournament with identical competition records of zero wins, zero losses and one draw. Across all competitions, Switzerland holds a 2-2-3 mark and Qatar stands at 1-2-3.

Switzerland next faces Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 18, while Qatar meets Canada the same day.