Dramatic night: Ben Romdhane scores first Al Shamal goal before penalty heartbreak

Tunisian midfielder scores in Qatar Cup semi-final before missing decisive penalty

Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane scored his first goal for Al Shamal before missing a crucial penalty as his side were eliminated by Al Rayyan in a dramatic Qatar Cup semi-final.

The Tunisia international found the net in the 54th minute, scoring Al Shamal’s second goal in a match that eventually finished 3-3 after an eventful contest.

With neither side able to find a winner during the match, the semi-final was decided by a penalty shootout.

Al Shamal eventually lost 5-4 on penalties, ending their hopes of reaching the Qatar Cup final.

Ben Romdhane opens his Al Shamal account

The match provided Ben Romdhane with an important personal milestone when he scored his first goal since joining Al Shamal.

The Tunisian midfielder struck in the second half to put his team on the scoresheet for the second time in the contest.

His goal came in the 54th minute and appeared to give Al Shamal further encouragement as they attempted to secure a place in the final.

However, Al Rayyan fought back and the match developed into an increasingly competitive contest.

By the end of normal play, the two sides were locked at 3-3, leaving the outcome to be decided from the penalty spot.

Al Shamal lose on penalties

The shootout offered both teams the chance to settle the match after neither could establish an advantage during the game.

Al Rayyan eventually prevailed 5-4, securing their place in the final while leaving Al Shamal to reflect on a painful elimination.

For Ben Romdhane, the shootout added a difficult final chapter to what had initially been a memorable evening.

After scoring his first goal for the club, the midfielder was given the responsibility of taking a penalty during the shootout.

His effort, however, did not find the net.

Missed sixth penalty seals elimination

Ben Romdhane missed Al Shamal’s sixth penalty of the shootout, a failure that ultimately contributed directly to his team’s exit from the competition.

The miss came after the midfielder had already made his mark during the match by scoring his side’s second goal.

It turned what could have been an entirely positive night for the Tunisian into a painful one.

Al Shamal were unable to recover from the missed attempt, with Al Rayyan completing the shootout victory by a score of 5-4.

The result means Al Shamal’s Qatar Cup campaign ends at the semi-final stage, despite producing three goals during a match that finished 3-3.

A mixed night for Ben Romdhane

Ben Romdhane’s contribution to the semi-final ultimately contained both a major personal achievement and a disappointing conclusion.

The midfielder opened his Al Shamal scoring account with his 54th-minute goal and helped his side remain in contention during an entertaining encounter.

But his missed penalty in the shootout proved costly as Al Shamal were denied a place in the final.

The 3-3 scoreline ensured the match went all the way to penalties, where Al Rayyan eventually held their nerve to win 5-4.

For Ben Romdhane, the first goal for his new club will therefore be remembered alongside the missed penalty that accompanied Al Shamal’s elimination from the Qatar Cup.