World Cup qualifiers: Qatar suffer 3-0 defeat to Uzbekistan in Tashkent as third round concludes

Qatar’s national team fell to a 3–0 defeat against hosts Uzbekistan in the tenth and final game of Group A in the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Qatar had already secured qualification to the fourth round in the previous match after their 1–0 victory over Iran, and they finished the group stage in fourth place with 13 points.

Uzbekistan’s goals came from Azizbek Turgunboev, Eldor Shomurodov, and Igor Sergeev in the 28th, 86th, and 90+2 minutes, respectively. The win took Uzbekistan’s tally to 21 points.

The home side dominated proceedings early on, with Shomurodov threatening first with a powerful shot over the crossbar in the 12th minute.

Uzbekistan’s pressure eventually paid off when Turgunboev intercepted a ball from Homam Al-Amin near the edge of the box and fired a powerful shot into the top corner to open the scoring in the 28th minute.

Qatar goalkeeper Salah Zakaria made several key saves to keep his team in the game, denying Shomurodov’s low shot in the 39th minute and then blocking a header from Jaloliddin Masharipov in the 43rd, as the first half ended 1–0.

The second half saw Uzbekistan continue their dominance with high pressing and possession. Masharipov came close again with a shot that narrowly missed the post in the 52nd minute, followed by a dangerous run and strike from Shomurodov in the 65th.

Uzbekistan doubled their lead in the 86th minute when Abbosbek Fayzullaev played a clever pass behind the defense to Shomurodov, who controlled it beautifully and slotted it home.

Igor Sergeev sealed the victory with a header in stoppage time (90+2) after a well-placed cross, capping off a dominant performance by Uzbekistan.