Doha, Qatar – Egypt and Kuwait battled to a 1-1 draw in a Group C match of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday. The result leaves both teams with a point and still in contention for a spot in the knockout stages. A late penalty converted by Mohamed Magdy secured the draw for Egypt after Mohammad Daham had given Kuwait the lead, keeping the group wide open with Jordan and the UAE also competing.
The match, played at the venue of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, saw Egypt dominate possession early on, but struggle to convert chances. Kuwait, known for their organized defense, absorbed the pressure and capitalized on a set-piece opportunity to take the lead. The draw ensures neither side takes a commanding position early in the tournament.
Egypt Salvages Draw in FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 Encounter
Kuwait opened the scoring in the 64th minute through Fahed Al Hajri, who headed home a corner kick delivered by Daham. Prior to the goal, Egypt had missed a penalty – a 36th-minute spot kick from Amr ElSoleya that went wide – frustrating their attempts to break the deadlock.
Egypt continued to press for an equalizer, and their persistence paid off when Kuwait goalkeeper Suod Al Houshan received a second yellow card in the 81st minute for a foul. Mohamed Afsha then calmly dispatched the resulting penalty, leveling the score two minutes later.
First Half Opportunities
The opening stages of the match were characterized by Egyptian attacking intent. Ghanam Mohamed tested Al Houshan early with a long-range strike, and Mohamed Elneny was also denied by the Kuwaiti keeper. Egypt’s Yassin Marei and Ragab Nabil also had headed attempts that went off target, highlighting their control of the play.
However, Kuwait posed a threat on the counterattack. In the 29th minute, a free-kick from Daham deflected off Yousef Nasser, causing a brief moment of concern for the Egyptian defense. The first half ultimately ended without a goal, despite Egypt’s penalty miss and several promising attacks.
Kuwait’s Defensive Resilience and Egyptian Frustration
Despite conceding the late penalty and having a player sent off, Kuwait demonstrated a strong defensive performance throughout the match, limiting Egypt’s clear-cut chances. “We were playing against Egypt, one of the best Arab teams,” said Kuwait goalkeeper Sulaiman Abdulghafour after the game, acknowledging the strength of their opponent. Meanwhile, Egypt’s dominance in possession didn’t translate to a significant number of scoring opportunities.
Abdulghafour further stated his team was happy with the point earned, saying, “Thank God. We took a point. Our ambition was to win. It was clear that the players stayed focused.” He acknowledged that small details, particularly the penalty decision, ultimately shaped the outcome of the Arab Cup match. The tactical approach of Kuwait proved effective in neutralizing Egypt’s attacking threats in large portions of the contest.
The FIFA Arab Cup serves as an important preparation tournament for many teams in the region, including those potentially competing in future World Cup qualifying campaigns. This competition offers valuable match experience and the opportunity to assess player form and tactical strategies. The tournament also provides a platform to foster regional football development.
Looking ahead, Kuwait will face Jordan in their next Group C fixture on Saturday. Egypt will also play on Saturday, taking on the United Arab Emirates, also in Group C. Both teams will be aiming to secure a victory to improve their chances of progressing to the knockout rounds of the tournament. The results of these matches will be crucial in determining the group standings and the teams that advance.
The next round of matches promises further intrigue, and the outcome of Group C remains uncertain. Fans will be watching closely to see which teams can capitalize on their opportunities and emerge as contenders for the Arab Cup title.
