

The 2022 World Cup hosts, who did not make it out of the group stage three years ago in their first ever appearance at the tournament, triumphed in the must-win clash at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium thanks to second-half goals from captain Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel.
Akram Afif, the two-time Asian Player of the Year, got both assists. The win meant Qatar, winners of the past two Asian Cups, finished top of Group A in the fourth round of Asian qualification booking their place in next summer's finals.
It was Qatar, coached by former Spain, Real Madrid and West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui, who created the first chance of the clash with the UAE. Qatar, who made unwelcome history in 2022 by becoming the first World Cup hosts to lose all three group games, saw out the match to take their place on merit at the 2026 edition.