Tunisia defeated Asian champions Qatar 3-0, and Palestine drew with Syria to advance to the final eight for the first time.
Asian champions Qatar suffered a shocking 3-0 defeat to Tunisia and were eliminated from the FIFA Arab Cup 2025, while Palestine advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time with a 0-0 draw with Syria.
Home favorites Qatar needed a big win against Tunisia to have any chance of advancing from Group A. The final group match was played on Sunday, with Palestine and Syria in first place.
The Asian Cup winners’ poor defense allowed them to take the lead in the 16th minute on Sunday. Mohamed Ali Ben Romdan pounced on Meshaal Barsham’s goalkeeping error and the Tunisian midfielder smashed the ball into the net from close range at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
Anabi (Maroons) were able to prevent further Tunisian goals in the first half, but the home crowd remained frustrated by Qatar’s attack.
The forwards, led by star striker Akram Afif, looked exhausted as they were unable to create any goal-scoring chances despite having 60 per cent possession.
In the 62nd minute, Tunisia extended their lead to two points with Yassine Melia scoring a low header from close range following a corner kick, making them pay for their inability to convert a shot into a goal.
Minutes later, Seifeddine Jaziri was sent off for a foul with 25 minutes left until full time, reducing Tunisia to 10 men, but Qatar were unable to capitalize on their advantage.
Near the end of the match, Mohamed Benali, who was free in Qatar’s half, received the ball and fired a powerful shot, clinching the victory for Tunisia.
He went on to celebrate the goal and the victory, but Tunisia’s joy was short-lived as the result of the other group match ensured that both teams were eliminated.
A starkly contrasting scene unfolded 48 kilometers away at Al Rayyan’s Education City Stadium, with Palestine and Syria drawing goalless, each qualifying for the last eight.
Palestine dramatically defeated Qatar in the opening game of the tournament, with an own goal giving the war-torn country a shock victory for the favorites.
Fidai, known as the Palestinian team, then put up a tenacious fight against Tunisia, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to draw the second leg.
Syria also won their first match, defeating Tunisia 1-0, and are now level with fellow Levantine countries on points and goal difference.
Both teams needed a point from the final Group A match to advance, but when the referee blew the final whistle to signal a goalless draw, the emotions that had been suppressed for 90 minutes exploded and the players from both groups collapsed to the ground.
The Palestinian team celebrated with flags, keffiyehs and supporters who roared and shouted.
The Syrian players were equally emotional, jumping up and down with joy and disbelief.
Several Palestinian players, including Gazan defender Mohamed Saleh, waved both Palestinian and Syrian flags, and the celebrations continued well past the end of time.
This result and its implications for the next round of the tournament are shocking, not only because both Palestine and Syria are reeling from the effects of war, but also because of the wide disparity between the two teams’ standings in world football.
Palestine is ranked 96th in FIFA’s team rankings, 45 places behind Qatar, while Syria is ranked 87th. Tunisia, Africa’s sixth strongest team, is ranked 40th in the world.
Qatar is one of six Arab teams to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Tunisia is one of nine African countries to qualify for the finals.
Neither Palestine nor Syria have ever qualified for soccer’s marquee event, but for now, fans won’t care as their teams march through the Arab Cup.
