Jordan and Iraq became the latest teams to secure their places in the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 quarterfinals after impressive victories over Kuwait and Sudan, while defending champions Algeria issued a powerful statement of intent with a commanding 5-1 win over Bahrain. Egypt played out a 1-1 draw with UAE at the Lusail Stadium.

At Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Jordan delivered a controlled and confident performance to defeat Kuwait 3-1 and seal their progression from Group C with a second consecutive win.

The opening goal arrived in the 17th minute from a cleverly improvised free-kick nearly 30 yards out, as Jordan caught Kuwait unprepared by tapping the ball short to Mohannad Abu Taha, who drilled a fierce shot beyond goalkeeper Sulaiman Abdulghafour.

Jordan maintained their pressure into the second half, and just four minutes after restart they doubled their lead when a dangerous Mahmoud Mardi corner caused chaos in the box, and Saed Al Rosan steered home the loose ball in the 49th.

Kuwait struggled to create clear chances but sparked late tension when substitute Youssef Nasser headed in Eid Al Rashidi’s precise cross in the 84th. However, Jordan kept their composure and sealed the result deep into stoppage time.

Ali Olwan burst clear on the counter, was brought down by Abdulghafour, and confidently converted the ensuing 90+7th-minute penalty to cap an outstanding performance that earned him Player of the Match and confirmed Jordan’s spot in the last eight.

At Khalifa International Stadium, defending champions Algeria reminded the competition of their strength with a ruthless 5-1 dismantling of Bahrain, led by a brilliant showing from Redouane Berkane.

After a tight opening, the match ignited midway through the first half when Al Wakrah forward Berkane opened the scoring in the 24th. Bahrain responded quickly through Mahdi Abduljabbar in the 27th, during a frantic six-minute spell that produced three goals, but Algeria roared back almost immediately.

Berkane turned provider in the 30th with a superb cross from the right that Al Duhail’s Adil Boulbina crashed into the top corner. As the first half entered stoppage time, Berkane was fouled in the box, allowing Yassine Benzia to make it 3-1 from the penalty spot in the seventh added minute.

Algeria maintained their dominance after the interval, and in the 48th Boulbina slid a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Berkane, who slotted home his second goal. The champions completed the rout ten minutes from time when substitute Yacine Brahimi threaded a pass through to Boulbina, who finished clinically in the 80th to claim his brace.

With their unbeaten start restored after drawing their opener against Sudan, Algeria now look in formidable form ahead of a group-deciding clash with Iraq on December 9.

At Stadium 974, Iraq joined Jordan in the quarterfinals after a composed 2-0 win over Sudan in Group D. Sudan began strongly, carrying more attacking threat throughout the first half through Mohamed Abdelrahman and Salah Adel, but they lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

Iraq gradually grew into the contest after the break, tightening defensively and pushing higher up the pitch as the momentum shifted in their favour. The breakthrough arrived in the 81st when Mohanad Ali pounced on a poorly cleared defensive header from a free-kick and smashed in from close range, sending the Iraqi supporters inside the stadium into celebration.

Just three minutes later, Iraq doubled their lead as Amjed Attwan collected the ball on the edge of the area and fired a low shot into the corner to make it 2-0 in the 84th. The quick-fire double secured Iraq’s second straight win and confirmed their place in the last eight, while leaving Sudan on the brink of elimination.

In Group C’s last fixture at Lusail Stadium, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt played out a tightly contested match that carried major implications for the table.

Both sides, relying largely on home-based squads, prioritised defensive organisation and patient build-up play. UAE, needing a positive result to stay alive, looked to the pace and movement of their front line, while Egypt tried to dictate the tempo through a compact midfield trio.

The deadlock was broken on the hour when Caio Lucas struck for UAE in the 60th, capping a well‑worked attack to put his side ahead. Egypt responded by pushing higher and introducing fresh legs in attack, steadily increasing the pressure.

Their persistence paid off late on as substitute Marwan Hamdy levelled the game in the 85th, finishing clinically to make it 1-1.

There was drama towards the end, with an offside goal for Egypt, before the match ended all square. The result kept Egypt in contention while leaving UAE facing an uphill task in the final round.

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