Qatar edge past El Salvador in five-goal thriller to reach Gold Cup semi-finals

In the other game, Al Moez Ali scored twice as Qatar became the first team to reach the semi-finals, holding on to beat El Salvador 3-2.

Abdelaziz Hatim also scored for the reigning Asian champions in the quarter-final clash in Arizona. Joaquin Rivas had both goals for El Salvador, who mounted a comeback in the second half.

Ali opened the scoring in the second minute by capitalizing on an El Salvador giveaway. Just six minutes later, Hatim hammered a right-footed shot into the goal to make it 2-0.

El Salvador were called for a handball in the 55th minute, which resulted in Ali scoring his second of the game from the spot to give Qatar a commanding three-goal lead.

But El Salvador were not about to go quietly as their comeback started in the 63rd minute when Amando Moreno made a touch pass to Rivas, who scored to cut the lead to 3-1.

Rivas scored again 11 minutes later with a left-footed blast after taking a pass from teammate Bryan Tamacas. El Salvador pressed for the equalizer in the final minutes but that was as close as they would get.

 

July 25, 2021