By SCM Correspondent in Qatar
LUSAIL STADIUM, QATAR – In the magnificent, towering arena that will host the World Cup Final, Lusail Stadium last night served up a dish of high drama as Egypt scraped a late 1-1 draw against a spirited and defiant Kuwait side.
This stunning Qatari monument, a golden bowl of footballing dreams, witnessed the Pharaohs of Egypt toil for a point against a side ranked 101 places below them, needing a penalty and a red card to rescue their opener in the FIFA Arab Cup.
The stage couldn’t have been grander. In this futuristic masterpiece of Arab architecture, built to host the planet’s biggest game, the crowd expected fireworks from the Egyptian giants.
Instead, the first half was a damp squib, symbolised by a woeful penalty miss from skipper Amr El Solia in the 38th minute.
Kuwait, refusing to be overawed by the 80,000-seater stadium’s intimidating presence, stunned the favourites in the 64th minute.
After a pinpoint corner, defender Fahad Al-Hajeri rose highest to power a header past the Egyptian keeper, sending the Kuwaiti fans wild in the vast stands of Lusail.
The clock ticked down, and the grand stadium threatened to become the site of a humiliating defeat.
But the real drama exploded with just seven minutes left. A desperate Egyptian attack saw the ball handled, and referee Espen Eskås pointed straight to the spot. It was double agony for Kuwait, as keeper Saud Alhoushan was given his marching orders for his reaction.
With the weight of the entire nation on his shoulders, it was substitute Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Kafsha who stepped up. The midfielder showed ice in his veins, coolly dispatching the penalty in the 87th minute to level the scores.
A relieved Egypt managed to see out the remaining minutes, including an extended seven minutes of stoppage time.
The result will feel like a win for ten-man Kuwait, whose brave performance lit up the spectacular Lusail Stadium far more than the star-studded Egyptians managed.
