In a thrilling Asian Cup final at Lusail Stadium, Qatar emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Jordan, fueled by Akram Afif’s exceptional performance.
Afif’s hat-trick of penalties showcased his prowess, securing Qatar’s back-to-back Asian titles following their 2019 triumph.
The match saw Yazan Al-Naimat leveling the score with a second-half goal after Afif’s initial penalty.
The game intensified as Afif scored two more penalties in the closing stages, aided by video assistant referee checks, bringing his tournament goal tally to an impressive eight.
Jordan, vying for their first-ever Asian Cup, had reached the final by upsetting South Korea 2-0 in the semifinals.
Afif’s first-half brilliance, converting a penalty after being fouled in the box, set the tone for Qatar’s dominance.
Despite Jordan’s efforts in the second half, Al-Naimat’s goal was not enough to thwart Qatar. Afif, with composure, converted his second penalty against the run of play.
Even when 13 minutes of additional time were indicated, Qatar sealed the win with a third penalty, awarded through video review.
This victory not only secured Qatar’s status as the fifth team to win consecutive Asian titles but also made them the first team to defend their Asian Cup crown since Japan in 2004.
The jubilant scenes at Lusail Stadium marked a historic moment for Qatari football.