The quarterfinal line-up of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 is now complete, with Group C winners Jordan set to face Iraq and Group D toppers Algeria meeting the UAE.

The decisive day of group action began in Group C, where Egypt’s hopes were extinguished by a clinical Jordan side at Al Bayt Stadium.

After a breathless opening spell in which both goalkeepers were called into early action, Jordan struck first when a move down the right broke somewhat fortuitously for Mohammad Abuhasheesh, who calmly slotted past Mohamed Bassam in the 19th minute.

Jamal Sellami’s World Cup-bound side doubled their advantage before the interval in superb style as Mohammad Abu Zraiq cut inside on the right and curled a sublime effort beyond the diving Bassam, the ball brushing the inside of the post on its way in.

Jordan appeared to have added a third early in the second half when Odeh Fakhoury dinked the ball over Bassam, but the goal was ruled out for handball in the build-up after his challenge with Yassin Marei.

Egypt came close to reducing the deficit when Marwan Hamdy struck the base of the post from distance, but their night worsened in stoppage time. Marei’s sliding tackle brought down substitute Ali Olwan in the area, and Olwan converted the 90+2nd-minute penalty to seal a 3-0 win and eliminate Egypt without a victory from their three matches.

At Lusail Stadium, UAE clinched the final quarterfinal berth with a 3-1 victory over Kuwait. UAE entered the contest needing at least a win to keep their hopes alive and made a fast start.

In the 16th minute, Ahmad Aldhefeery brought down Yahya Al Ghassani, who dispatched the resulting penalty confidently. Two minutes later, Al Ghassani struck again, capitalising on Kuwait’s mistake near their own area and finishing a sharp passing move with a composed low strike.

Kuwait’s challenge became steeper early in the second half when Sultan Al Enezi was sent off for an off-the-ball incident involving Al Ghassani. Despite the setback, they pulled one back in the 59th as Fahed Al Hajri headed home a deep in-swinging free-kick from Mohammad Daham.

However, UAE restored their cushion in the 66th when Nicolas Gimenez unleashed a powerful effort from the edge of the box - one of the goals of the tournament - securing a 3-1 win and a last-eight meeting with Algeria.

Attention then shifted to Group D, where Algeria faced Iraq at Khalifa International Stadium needing only a point to advance, but ultimately claimed all three in a 2-0 victory that sealed top spot.

Their task became easier when Iraq’s Hussein Ali was sent off in the fifth minute, giving Algeria a numerical advantage for almost the entire game. Iraq’s situation worsened before half-time when forward Mohanad Ali was forced off with an injury.

Algeria broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time when Redouane Berkane headed a free-kick back across goal for Mohamed Amine Tougai to nod in from close range. Just after the restart, a teasing delivery from Yacine Brahimi caused confusion between goalkeeper Fahad Talib and defender Saad Natiq, with Talib colliding into Natiq and the ball ricocheting off the defender into the net for an own goal.

Algeria maintained control and created further chances but settled for the 2-0 win, finishing as group winners to face the UAE, while Iraq advanced in second place to meet Jordan.

The group stage concluded at Stadium 974 with Bahrain defeating Sudan 3-1 in a match that, due to Algeria’s earlier win, could not alter the fate of either team.

Bahrain edged the first half and took the lead in the 37th when Abdulla Al Khalasi broke down the right flank and delivered a pinpoint cross for Mahdi Abdouljabbar to finish.

Sudan’s hopes took a major hit early in the second half when Mohamed Ahmed was sent off for striking Abdouljabbar off the ball. Even with ten men, Sudan equalised in the 72nd when Vincent Emmanuel, attempting to clear under pressure from Yasir Mozamil, inadvertently put the ball into his own net.

Bahrain restored their lead in the 79th through a penalty converted by substitute Mohamed Al Romaihi after Mustafa Mohammed fouled Ali Madan in the box. With Sudan pushing forward late on, Bahrain struck again in the 89th minute as Mahdi Al Humaidan finished clinically, sealing a 3-1 win that closed their campaign on a positive note.

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