VIDEO: Meqbali shines as UAE beat Algeria to set up semis clash with Morocco

Goalkeeper Hamad Al Meqbali was the hero as UAE 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 Meqbali, only for the effort to be ruled offside.

Algeria got it right a minute into the second half after Meqbali 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.

UAE fans celebrate after the match in Doha. Reuters

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.

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

Jordan staved off a spirited fightback attempt from Iraq to secure a 1-0 win in another quarter-final at Education City Stadium on Friday.

UAE players celebrate after winning their match against Algeria on Friday. Reuters

The result meant that Jordan set up a tantalising semi-final meeting with Saudi Arabia - who defeated Palestine 2-1 - on Monday.

World Cup-bound Jordan almost got off to a flying start through Yazan Alnaimat’s back-flick from Mahmoud Almardi’s corner in the opening minute but Iraq custodian Ahmed Basil made a smart one-handed save.

Jordan suffered a setback when the influential Alnaimat had to be stretchered off with a knee injury in the 15th minute, with head coach Jamal Sellami opting to send on Odeh Fakhoury in his place.

Emirati fans celebrate after Bruno Conceicao scores their first goal against Algeria. Reuters

Despite seeing their key attacker go off injured, Jordan took the lead in the 41st minute when Ali Olwan tucked home his penalty after a VAR review deemed Almardi’s header to have struck Mustafa Saadoo’s arm.

Iraq were let off the hook four minutes later when Fakhoury had a goal ruled out as Olwan was offside earlier in the move with the match remaining tight at the break.

Graham Arnold’s Iraq displayed better attacking threat in the second half with an Ahmed Maknazi header going wide before Ali Jasim produced a stunning 25-yard strike which Yazeed Abulaila had to tip over the bar.