Defending champions and tournament hosts, Qatar, kicked off their Asian Cup campaign in style, securing a commanding 3-0 win against Lebanon in the opening game.
The match, held at the iconic Lusail Stadium with an initial attendance of over 80,000 fans, saw Akram Afif score on the stroke of half-time, setting the stage for Almoez Ali to double the lead after the break. Afif later sealed the victory with a late third goal.
The atmosphere at Lusail Stadium, where Argentina triumphed over France in the 2022 World Cup final, wasn't as dramatic during Qatar's win over Lebanon. Despite the home team's success, some spectators left as early as halftime, resulting in vacant seats by the final whistle.
The victory marked a positive beginning for Qatar, who clinched their first Asian Cup five years ago and recently underwent a coaching change, with Tintin Marquez taking over from Carlos Queiroz just last month. The team, which stunned Japan in the 2019 final, had a disappointing performance in the recent World Cup on home soil, exiting the tournament in the first round.
Despite an early VAR check ruling out a goal by Ali, Qatar showcased their dominance against Lebanon, with Afif hitting the crossbar and later scoring the opening goal just before half-time. The host nation continued their momentum in the second half, with Ali securing the second goal in the 56th minute.
Lebanon, participating in only their third Asian Cup, faced a formidable opponent in Qatar. The audience witnessed an impressive individual performance by Afif, who notched the final goal in the 96th minute, securing a convincing victory.
Qatar's next challenge in Group A will be against Tajikistan on Wednesday, with China as the other team in their group. The Asian Cup action continues with Australia facing India, China playing Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan taking on Syria on Saturday.
