Doha: Hosts Qatar have advanced to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 after a 2-1 win over Oman in a Group A match played at the Education City Stadium in the capital Doha.

The first goal of Friday’s match was scored by Qatari striker Akram Afif in the 32nd minute. The Asian football champions edged past Oman after a goal in the 97th minute. Oman’s single goal came in the 74th minute.

Substitute Fahmi Durbin attempted to clear a dangerous cross into the area, but the Omani defender saw his header hit the crossbar and bounce down behind the goal line.

Play continued for 30 seconds before Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio confirmed the ball had crossed the line after VAR advice.

Sampaio had earlier awarded Qatar a first-half penalty after a clumsy foul from Oman’s Ahmed Al-Khamisi in the area.

Akram Afif fired the hosts ahead by placing the penalty in the bottom right corner, beyond the dive of Oman’s goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini.

Oman equalised in the 73rd minute, with Khalid Al-Hajri beating two defenders to the ball at the back post to send a diving header into the Qatar net.

Oman, who had conceded a 98^th-minute penalty to draw their group opener against Iraq, succumbed to the late own goal by Durbin.

Qatar are now assured of top spot in Group A after consecutive wins, with Iraq occupying second place in the standings.

The tournament, hosted by Qatar from November 30 to December 18, involves 16 teams under the FIFA umbrella.

Qatar, Iraq, Oman, Bahrain are in Group A, while Group B includes Tunisia, UAE, Syria, Mauritania. Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Palestine are in Group C while Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan play in Group D.