In a show of undefeated spirit and persistence, the Qatari national football team locked in a 2-2 draw with Paraguay at its Copa America debut last night.

The Asian champions proved their mettle by putting up an engrossing fight against two-time winners Paraguay as Al Moez Ali scored a 68th-minute goal followed by the equalizer from Boulaem Khoukhi just thirteen minutes short from the finish.

It was a great way to kick off the #CopaAmerica2019 campaign for Qatar today. The Qatar national team claimed a 2-2 draw against Paraguay in the iconic Maracaná Stadium in Rio de Janeiro! Wishing the team the very best of luck in the next match ! pic.twitter.com/BbA4TPkd4k

— Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (@SCcorporate) June 16, 2019

With this score, Qatar and Paraguay stand two points behind Colombia in Group B although above Argentina who is lower in the group.

Asian Cup 2019 finalists Japan and victors Qatar were invited to join the world’s oldest football tournament, Copa America, as guest teams this year.

It seemed like a daunting start for Qatar at its first game of the tournament when Paraguay striker Oscar Cardozo hammered in a penalty goal giving his team a fourth-minute lead into the match. This was the only goal made in the first half.

Next up, Derlis Gonzalez struck another goal for the South American team increasing pressure on the Kings of Asian football 2-0 at the 56th minute.

However, displaying stellar tenacity Qatar fought on with star player Al Moez breaking the Paraguayan spell striking the first goal for the Qatari national team at the 68th minute.

Nine minutes later, Qatari striker Boualem Khoukhi levelled with an untidy finish courtesy of Rodrigo Rojas, who attempted to head it off the line but only managed to put the ball into the roof of his own net.

“We dominated the game in several phases and despite being 2-0 down the team never stopped believing,” Qatar’s Spanish manager, Félix Sánchez was quoted to have said by The Guardian.

Qatar will lock horns with Colombia at the Estadio do Morumbi in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo on Thursday, June 20.

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Cover Image Credit: Twitter/ QSL