Embolo Scored from Penalty: Switzerland 1-0 Ahead

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B opening match, Qatar and Switzerland faced each other at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara near San Francisco. The first half of the match, officiated by Honduran referee Said Martinez, ended with Switzerland's 1-0 advantage. Throughout the match, Switzerland was the decisive team on the field in terms of possession and shot production from start to finish.

In the opening minutes of the match, Switzerland started to establish pressure. In the 10th minute, Dan Ndoye's shot found the goal, and in the 12th minute, Manuel Akanji's strike also threatened the Qatar goal. In the 16th minute of the match, Qatar goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada first received a yellow card for his intervention on Remo Freuler inside the penalty area, and then referee Said Martinez pointed to the penalty spot with the confirmation of the VAR review. At the start of the process before the penalty, Embolo touched the ball passed by Denis Zakaria to Breel Embolo with his head to Freuler; when Freuler met the ball inside the penalty area, Abunada intervened and the foul occurred.

In the 17th minute, Breel Embolo, who took his place at the white spot, sent the ball to the bottom-left corner with a composed shot and put Switzerland ahead 1-0 by dropping Abunada to the wrong side. This goal also went down as Switzerland's first penalty goal in World Cup history. The 29-year-old Embolo is playing in his third World Cup and continues to be the team's key attacking name in recent tournaments.

In the later minutes of the first half, Switzerland continued its pressure. In the 23rd minute, Jassim Gaber from Qatar received a yellow card for his rough intervention. Switzerland encountered a yellow card once again in the 43rd minute; Denis Zakaria was given a yellow card for tripping. In the stoppage time of the first half of the match, Akram Afif took the corner but Qatar's defence cleared the cross. The cross Edmilson Junior made into the penalty area was also cleared by Switzerland's defence and provided Qatar to win a corner. In the 45+7, referee Martinez blew the whistle and completed the first half.

The first half statistics clearly showed Switzerland's pressure. In expected goals (xG) value, Switzerland produced 2.00 against Qatar's 0.45, while the possession rate was 75% to 25% in favour of Switzerland. In total shots, Switzerland reached 14 and Qatar 4. In big chances, Switzerland 3, Qatar 1 was recorded. In the category of touches in the opposition penalty area, Switzerland had possession 26 times, Qatar could reach this point only 5 times. Switzerland under Murat Yakin will want to maintain this control led by Granit Xhaka in the second half as well; Qatar under Julen Lopetegui is relying on quick counter-attacks led by Akram Afif to return.

Image: transfermarkt.com.tr