AFC Asian Cup 2023 Final: Qatar defeated Jordan 3-1 in the final of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 as a hattrick of penalties from Akram Afif sealed the deal for the hosts at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail on Saturday, February 10. Qatar, with this result, have won back-to-back Asian Cups, as they lay down an emphatic statement of a growing footballing nation.
Qatar Vs Jordan AFC Asian Cup 2023 Final - Match Report
It was a 'David Vs Goliath' battle in the high voltage clash of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Final, as hosts Qatar had made it to their second successive Asia Cup final and were the firm favourites due to the fact that they were facing a Jordan side who were having a fairytale story of their own, as they made it to their first ever Asian Cup final.
Qatar opened the floodgates of the scoring department as forward Akram Afif scored the first goal of the match via a penalty, which he converted in the 22nd minute. Jordan then did the unthinkable and pulled one back in the second half, via a brilliant goal from Yazan Al-Naimat in the 67th minute and the home crowd was left stunned as Jordan looked to pull off a miracle of a lifetime.
However, the silence of the home crowd lasted merely 6 minutes as they found their voice when Akram Afif scored his second goal of the goal with another penalty, which he converted in the 73rd minute. Out of desperation, Jordan started pressing up high as a 'Cindrella Dream' of Jordan started looking like a distant dream and the final nail in the coffin of their dreams was drilled via yet another penalty for Qatar, as Akram Afif capped a historic and memorable hattrick, all via penalties, to deliver for Qatar on the grandest continental stage and help the FIFA World Cup 2022 hosts retain their elusive title.