UAE fight back to beat Oman, edge closer to World Cup spot

Doha: The United Arab Emirates made a late comeback to edge Oman 2-1 in a thrilling World Cup qualifying clash on Saturday, moving closer to sealing a spot in next year’s FIFA World Cup.

UAE fans cheer during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between United Arab Emirates and Oman at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on October 11, 2025. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)

The UAE trailed for most of the match at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium after Oman went ahead through an own goal by Kouame Kouadio in the 12th minute.

Marcus Vinicius Meloni equalised in the 76th minute, before Caio Lucas scored a stunning winner in the 83rd, securing three crucial points in their Group A opener.

The victory leaves the UAE needing just a draw against Asian champions and hosts Qatar in a high-stakes clash on Tuesday to confirm automatic qualification, which would mark their first World Cup appearance since the 1990 edition.

UAE's defender #16 Marcus Meloni (C) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between United Arab Emirates and Oman at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on October 11, 2025. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)

Oman, meanwhile, saw their hopes of direct qualification come to an end.

Carlos Queiroz’s side, who played a goalless draw against Qatar on Wednesday, will now be hoping for a favour from the UAE.

Oman need the UAE to beat Qatar by at least two goals to qualify as runners-up in the group and earn a place in the two-legged play-off.

There, they would face the second-placed team from Group B, which includes Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia, for a place in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament offering one final spot at the World Cup.

As for Qatar, they must defeat the UAE to qualify for the World Cup on merit for the first time, having made their debut as hosts in 2022.

Oman looked much improved compared to their performance against Qatar, pressing high from the outset. Issam Al Sabhi created early pressure with a strong run into the box, but his shot was blocked by Majed Hassan.

Oman's defender #3 Thani Al Rushaidi (L) reacts after their loss at the end of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between United Arab Emirates and Oman at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on October 11, 2025. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)

Oman’s early aggression paid off when they took the lead through an own goal. Captain Ali Al Busaidi sent in a cross from the left to Amjad Al Harthi, whose attempted pass from the right side of the box towards Al Sabhi deflected off Kouadio and ended up in the bottom left corner.

UAE responded with chances of their own as Caio Lucas had a shot blocked with Nicolas Gimenez being active in midfield creating opportunities. The Al Wasl midfielder missed a good chance to equalise, firing wide from a promising position.

The UAE suffered a setback when Yahya Al Ghassani was forced off due to injury and was replaced by Ali Saleh seven minutes before half-time.

Oman looked to double their lead through Abdul Rahman Al Mushaifri, who tried his luck from outside the box, but the effort went wide. Gimenez had two more attempts late in the half, but Oman held their one-goal advantage at the break.

UAE's defender #16 Marcus Meloni and Oman's midfielder #21 Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri fight for the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between United Arab Emirates and Oman at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on October 11, 2025. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)

UAE head coach Cosmin Olaroiu made a triple substitution at the start of the second half, bringing on Yahia Nader for Fabio Lima, Caio Canedo for Majed Hassan and Harib Abdalla for Abdalla Ramadan.

The changes brought immediate urgency to the UAE’s play. Harib Abdalla was particularly active, seeing two shots denied before the hour mark. Oman, under pressure, brought on midfielder Mohammed Al Ghafri for Al Sabhi as they looked to protect their lead.

The UAE thought they had found a breakthrough in the 68th minute when they were awarded a penalty. However, a VAR review overturned the decision, ruling Thani Al Rushaidi’s challenge on Ali Saleh as fair.

The equaliser eventually came in the 76th minute as Ali Saleh delivered a precise cross and Meloni headed home bringing the UAE level.

Oman responded quickly and Al Mushaifri’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Khalid Eissa with Nasser Al Rawahi missing a golden chance, firing wide from a promising position.

But it was the UAE who took the decisive lead as Caio Lucas, cutting in from the left, struck a brilliant shot from a tight angle outside the box, leaving the Omani defence stunned.

In the 89th minute, Eissa pulled off a superb save to deny Zahir Al Aghbari and preserve the UAE’s lead. The Emiratis held on through 13 minutes of stoppage time to secure a vital victory and keep their World Cup hopes firmly on track.