By Our Sports Reporter
Al KHOR, Qatar – The incredible Al Bayt Stadium last night witnessed a massive upset in the FIFA Arab Cup semi-finals as Jordan sent favourites Saudi Arabia crashing out with a thrilling 1-0 victory.
The match, played under the spectacular, retractable roof of the arena that hosted the 2022 World Cup opener, delivered high drama as the Saudis were simply unable to penetrate a resilient Jordanian defence.
The iconic Al Bayt Stadium, designed to resemble a traditional Bedouin tent—a symbol of Arabian hospitality and a landmark of Qatari engineering—was the stage for Jordan’s most historic football moment in a generation.
The solitary,
game-changing goal came in the 66th minute. A fantastic cross was delivered into the box, and Nizar Al Rashdan rose highest to bullet a header past the Saudi keeper, sending the Jordanian contingent within the colossal structure into pandemonium.
For the Saudis, who dominated possession for much of the game, the result is a bitter pill to swallow.
Their star-studded lineup, which had shown such promise earlier in the tournament, lacked the clinical edge required to match Jordan’s sheer determination.
They squandered a golden opportunity late on, failing to find the back of the net in the shadow of the breathtaking 68,000-seat venue.
The shock win means Jordan now progress to their first-ever FIFA Arab Cup final, where they will face Morocco on Thursday.
The grand architecture of the Al Bayt Stadium was meant to signal a new era of football dominance for the region, but last night, it was a backdrop to a classic David vs. Goliath story, confirming Jordan as the dark horses of the tournament.
