Barsham the hero as Qatar edge Uzbekistan on penalties

Qatar's players and officials toss goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham in the air after the victory at Al Bayt Stadium

Qatar's Meshaal Barsham emerged as the hero in a dramatic penalty shootout against Uzbekistan, securing a 3-2 victory after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes. The Al Bayt Stadium erupted in celebration as Pedro Miguel converted the winning penalty, sending Qatar to the Asian Cup semi-finals against Iran.

Barsham, the 25-year-old goalkeeper, made three crucial saves in the shootout, denying Uzbekistan's attempts and preserving Qatar's title defense. The dramatic victory unfolded after the match ended 1-1 in regular time, with Uzbekistan's Odiljon Hamrobekov equalizing in the 59th minute after Yusupov's own goal gave Qatar the lead in the 27th minute.

Despite a dominant performance by Uzbekistan, Qatar's resilient defense and Barsham's heroics propelled them to the semi-finals for the second consecutive time. Barsham's remarkable performance in the penalty shootout garnered praise, and he expressed his delight in helping Qatar advance.

Qatar coach Marquez Lopez commended the team's efforts and thanked the fans for their support. Uzbekistan, despite being the better side for most of the quarter-final, faced heartbreak as they couldn't capitalize on their opportunities.

The match saw both teams pushing for the decisive goal, with near misses and fine saves from both goalkeepers. In extra time, Qatar's Abdulaziz Hatem's attempt was saved by Uzbekistan's Utkir Yusupov, and both teams continued to search for the elusive winner.

The thrilling encounter ended with Barsham's penalty heroics, securing Qatar's 12th consecutive win in the Asian Cup. The victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated semi-final clash against Iran in the ongoing AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.