Saudi Arabia reach Gulf Cup final after Qatar shootout win

Saudi Arabia reached the Gulf Cup final for the first time since 2019 after beating Qatar 3-2 on penalties in a tense semi-final.

The match remained goalless after 90 minutes and neither side could break the deadlock during extra time, sending the contest to a shootout. Saudi Arabia held their nerve to secure their place in the final.

They will face the winner of the other semi-final between United Arab Emirates and Oman.

The result ends Saudi Arabia’s seven-year wait to return to the Gulf Cup final. Their most recent appearance in the title match came in 2019, when they faced Bahrain and lost 1-0.

Saudi Arabia have now won the Gulf Cup three times, with their most recent triumph coming in 2003. This victory gives them another opportunity to add to that record after reaching the final through a tournament campaign in which they have yet to concede.

The clean sheet against Qatar was Saudi Arabia’s fourth in a row. It followed three victories in the group stage, when they defeated Kuwait, Oman and Iraq.

Saudi Arabia finished top of their group with nine points, winning all three of their opening matches before overcoming Qatar in the semi-final. Their progress to the final has therefore come without conceding a goal in any of their four matches.

Qatar reached the last four after finishing second in Group B behind United Arab Emirates. The two teams were separated by goal difference, with Qatar then facing Saudi Arabia for a place in the final.

Saudi Arabia’s victory was ultimately decided from the penalty spot after neither side could find a breakthrough during a match that remained level throughout normal and extra time. The 3-2 shootout success sent them through to the tournament’s deciding match.