De Lima's Stellar Four-Goal Show Powers UAE to Victory Over Qatar

In a commanding performance at Abu Dhabi’s Al Nahyan Stadium, the UAE delivered a resounding 5-0 defeat to Qatar, driven by Fabio De Lima’s remarkable four-goal haul and a composed strike from Yahya Al-Ghassani.

De Lima’s heroics included a first-half hat-trick, capped by a sensational free-kick, and a second-half penalty. Al-Ghassani, who caused havoc in Qatar’s defense throughout the match, added a goal and an assist while winning a penalty.

Early Dominance by UAE

Qatar’s struggles began early, with a costly error in the fourth minute. Ibrahim Al-Hassan misplaced a pass, and Tarek Salman's slow recovery allowed Al-Ghassani to intercept and set up De Lima for the opening goal.

Despite holding 68% possession, Qatar failed to capitalize on their control. Mohammed Waad came closest to scoring in the first half, hitting the post, but a foul in the buildup negated the play.

UAE doubled their lead when Lucas Mendes’ error resulted in a penalty, which De Lima easily converted. Before halftime, De Lima completed his hat-trick with a spectacular curling free-kick from 30 yards, leaving Qatar reeling at 3-0.

Second-Half Struggles

Qatar’s head coach Bartolome Marquez Lopez made four substitutions in the second half, introducing attackers like Mohammed Muntari and Yusuf Abdulrisag in a desperate bid to turn the game around. However, De Lima struck again, scoring his fourth goal from another penalty after Meshaal Barsham fouled Al-Ghassani.

Yahya Al-Ghassani sealed the rout with a composed finish in the 70th minute, bringing the score to 5-0.

Implications for Qatar

The defeat leaves Qatar in fourth place in Group A with seven points, trailing UAE, who solidified their grip on third place with 10 points. Both teams had entered the match tied on points, needing a win to keep pressure on second-placed Uzbekistan.

With this loss, Qatar’s hopes for direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup have dimmed. The team will likely need to rely on playoffs to secure a spot.

A Night to Forget

This loss marks Qatar’s third defeat in Group A, adding to an inconsistent campaign. It also mirrors the team’s struggles against the UAE in past encounters, including a 4-0 loss in the 2019 Asian Cup.

Head coach Marquez Lopez’s call for “100% focus” before the match went unheeded, as early lapses and defensive errors set the tone for a forgettable evening. Qatar must now regroup as they prepare for the remaining fixtures in their qualifying campaign.