Doha: At the Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday, Qatar’s joint FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign started with an 8-1 beating of Afghanistan thanks to a fantastic super hat-trick from striker Almoez Ali in his 100^th international appearance. The 2019 AFC Asian Cup golden boot winner led Al Annabi to a resounding victory in front of their adoring home crowd with goals in the 15, 26, 33 (penalty), and 45+3 minutes. Hassan Al Haydos (11th minute), Mostafa Meshaal (18th minute), Ahmed Alaaeldin (53 - penalty) and Tameem Al Abdullah (90+9) also scored for the home side. Afghanistan’s lone goal came from Anwar Sharifi, who struck the back of the net in the 13th minute. The win propelled the reigning Asian champions to the top of Group A, which also includes India and Kuwait. Qatar wasted no time in stating their intentions, as captain Al Haydos opened the scoring just 11 minutes into the match. Afghanistan, however, quickly replied through Sharifi, who picked up a pass from Mustafa Azadzoy and directed it into the net. Yet that was the only time Afghan players had scored a goal against Meshaal Barsham, the goalkeeper for Qatar. After linking up with Homam Al Amin, who sent in a pinpoint cross from the left flank, Almoez scored Qatar's second goal and his first on the night in quick succession. Qatar's third goal was assisted by Al Amin as well. In the eighteenth minute, he sent a low cross for Meshaal, who made it 3-1 for Qatar with a clean finish that left the Afghan goalkeeper helpless. Al Amin showcased his playmaking abilities again by notching a remarkable hat-trick of assists before the half-hour mark. With impeccable timing and vision, he assisted Qatar's fourth goal, allowing Almoez to find the back of the net with a simple tap-in and extend Qatar's lead to a commanding 4-1 advantage. Akram Afif’s run was only stopped by the Afghan keeper, who was booked for fouling the pacey forward inside the area; Almoiz Ali scored the ensuing penalty to score for the third time on the trot. Ali capped off an impeccable first half by scoring his fourth goal just before the interval, as he converted a penalty following another foul committed against the lively Afif inside the area. In the second half, two more goals were added to the hosts’ account when Alaeldin calmly dispatched a penalty before Abdullah, who had replaced Almoez, scored to secure Qatar a dominant 8-1 win. In the 52nd minute, a challenge on Pedro Miguel resulted in a third penalty for Qatar. Ahmed Alaeldin took a penalty and beat the keeper to give Qatar a 7–1 lead. After coming on for Ali, young forward Tameem Muftah scored Qatar's eighth goal, finishing off a low cross from Al Amin, who finished with four assists to help Qatar to an 8-1 triumph. Up next for Qatar are India, who beat Kuwait 1-0 in the other Group A matchday 1 encounter at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium. The defending Asian champions will face the Blue Tigers in the Indian state of Odisha, while Afghanistan will host Kuwait in Dammam.