Qatar stun Switzerland to tie, snatch 1st WC point...

Qatar scored a last-gasp equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their World Cup Group B opener at Levi's Stadium.

>Breel Embolo's first-half penalty looked to have been enough to see the Swiss start with a somewhat laboured win, but Qatar captain Boualem Khoukhi crashed in a late header to secure the 2022 hosts a first point in the World Cup finals.

>The Swiss had plenty of support in Santa Clara, but there appeared to be a number of empty seats as the teams walked out at the 69,000-capacity venue, home of the San Francisco 49ers.

>After pictures appeared to show thousands of unoccupied seats for the Group A fixture between South Korea and the Czechia in Guadalajara, FIFA insisted the official attendance figure announced was accurate -- stressing "several ticketed fans could be seen standing in concourses rather than staying in their assigned seats throughout the match."

>Qatar, managed by former Spain boss Julen Lopetegui, had an early chance to take a shock lead when Edmílson Junior won possession off Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji to get through on goal, but his shot was straight at Gregor Kobel.

>Dan Ndoye saw his low effort saved by Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada before the Nottingham Forest forward sent another first-time effort over.

>Switzerland were awarded a penalty in the 13th minute when Remo Freuler latched on to a downward header from Embolo and was clattered by Abunada, who then needed treatment. After a lengthy delay, as well as a VAR check for offside, Rennes frontman Embolo kept his composure to send Abunada the wrong way from the spot.

>Abunada then produced a fine reaction save from Rubén Vargas at his near post before, in stoppage time at the end of the first half, Michel Aebischer's shot was cleared off the goal-line.

>Switzerland were soon on the front foot again after the restart when captain Granit Xhaka sent a long-range effort over, but with the heat unrelenting, the tempo dropped as the next hydration break approached. With 15 minutes left, Embolo shot into the side-netting and substitute Johan Manzambi fired narrowly wide.

>The Swiss were made to pay for not converting their chances when a deep cross from left-back Homam Al Amin on the overlap found its way through to defender Khoukhi at the back post, and he powered a header into the corner -- sparking wild celebrations from his teammates and on the Qatar bench.