By our man in Qatar
Al KHOR, Qatar – The incredible Al Bayt Stadium, one of Qatar’s stunning World Cup jewels, was the setting for a massive FIFA Arab Cup shock last night as the United Arab Emirates dramatically eliminated tournament favourites Algeria in a nail-biting penalty shootout.
After a tense, evenly-matched quarter-final tie finished 1-1 at the end of extra time, the fate of the two teams was decided from twelve yards, where the UAE held their nerve to clinch a thrilling 7-6 victory, sending the defending champions crashing out.
The drama unfolded inside the colossal, tent-like Al Bayt Stadium, a breathtaking display60,000+$ spectator arena that dominated the Al Khor skyline.
Designed to resemble a traditional Arab Bayt al Sha’ar tent, the stadium’s unique, culturally-inspired architecture provided a majestic backdrop to the classic knockout encounter.
The atmosphere within the soaring, canvas-clad walls was electric, with fans roaring on both sides, amplifying the sudden-death tension that ultimately determined the winner.
The state-of-the-art venue, a key host for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, showcased its magnificent capabilities as the floodlights beamed down on the perfect pitch for the full 120 minutes of action and the agonising shootout that followed.
Algeria, the 2021 champions and heavy favourites, took the lead early in the second half, only for a resilient UAE side to hit back, ensuring the match would go the distance. Both teams battled fiercely but failed to find a breakthrough, leading to the dramatic finale.
As the penalty takers stepped up under the vast roof of the Al Bayt, the tension was almost unbearable.
The teams traded successful strikes until the sudden-death phase, where the UAE’s final kicker held his nerve, sending his shot home for a 7-6 win.
The Algerians were left stunned, their title defence ending in cruel fashion, while the UAE players exploded in ecstatic celebration in front of their travelling fans in the magnificent Qatari arena.
The Emiratis now march on to the semi-finals, their upset win becoming one of the most memorable matches yet played at the iconic Al Bayt Stadium.
