Victory eluded them but that didn’t matter to Palestine as their goalless draw with Lebanon in Group I of the joint qualification Round 2 match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Doha on Thursday saw them create history. The point at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium was enough for Palestine to seal their passage to the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time as well as book their spot in the AFC Asian Cup for the fourth consecutive edition. Palestine were quicker to settle with Ataa Jaber firing a shot from close range that had to be cleared with his feet by Lebanon goalkeeper Mostafar Matar.
Then Wessam Abouli saw his header go wide as Palestine continued to knock on Lebanon’s door in search of the opening goal. Lebanon did produce a chance of their own midway through the first half when Hassan Maatouk was presented with a shooting opportunity on the edge of the box but Rami Hamada was in the right place to deny the Lebanese captain. In the fourth minute of first half added time, Palestine should have gone ahead when an unmarked Abouli powered a header from 12 yards out, only to see the ball clip the top of the crossbar.
Palestine had their first sight on goal in the second half when substitute Zeid Qunbar twisted and turned before unleashing a shot that hit a defender before Oday Dabbagh blasted over from the ensuing corner kick. Although the match was played at a frantic pace, neither side was able to fashion clear cut opportuniti.