FIFA Arab Cup - Q-final: Almeqbali stars as UAE dethrone Algeria

Al Khor: Goalkeeper Hamad Almeqbali was the hero as United Arab Emirates edged Algeria 7-6 on penalties after their FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 quarter-final ended 1-1 at the Al Bayt Stadium on Friday.

Almeqbali saved Algeria’s second and eighth spot-kicks, with Richard Akonnor netting the winner as UAE dethroned the defending champions and set up a semi-final showdown with Morocco on Monday.

Algeria got off to a fast start with Yacine Boulbina driving into the box in the eighth minute to slip a delightful pass across the face of goal for Redouane Berkane who, however, failed to connect, allowing UAE’s Sasa Ivkovic to clear the ball away.

The Al Gharafa midfielder was again pulling the strings for Algeria in the 14th minute, delivering a pin-point free-kick into the path of Achraf Abada, who headed the ball into the back of the net, only for the defender to be ruled offside.

Despite enjoying more possession, Cosmin Olaroiu’s side struggled to create clear cut chances and were let off the hook again a minute before the break.

Sofiane Bendebka’s deft touch saw Adil Boulbina break past his markers to slip the ball past UAE keeper Almeqbali, only for the effort to be ruled offside.

Algeria got it right a minute into the second half after Almeqbali spilled Brahimi’s shot from the edge of the box into the path of Boulbina, who tapped the ball into the net.

The African side should have doubled their lead in the 63rd minute but Mohammed Halaimia failed to beat Almeqbali with his low effort at the near post.

Algeria paid a heavy price for the miss, as UAE charged forward in numbers a minute later with Yahya Alghassani’s teasing cross deflecting off Caio Lucas and into the path of Bruno for a simple finish.

Zakaria Draoui and Boulbina both wasted chances for Algeria after sending their efforts sailing over the bar while UAE’s Lucas Pimenta saw his glancing header saved by Farid Chaal as the match went into extra-time.

Neither side was able to break the stalemate in the additional 30 minutes with Almeqbali foiling Redouane Berkane’s glancing header while Brahimi sent his shot wide before the UAE keeper pulled off a fine save to deny Zakaria Draoui’s stinging shot to force the game into penalties.

Almeqbali was at his best in the shoot-out and UAE can now set their sights on Morocco.

Photos: FIFA via Getty Images

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