Switzerland created enough to win comfortably and walked away with a point. That is the blunt summary of a Group B opener at Levi's Stadium in which Murat Yakin's side dominated almost every statistical category, carved out an expected-goals tally of 3.20, and were denied a routine win by a combination of Mahmud Abunada's five saves and the sort of cruel finish that no side ever plans for: a 90th-minute own goal from substitute Miro Muheim that levelled matters for Qatar at 1-1.
Breel Embolo had given Switzerland the lead from the spot on 17 minutes, and for long stretches thereafter they looked the team most likely to add to it. Ten corners, 26 shots, 68 per cent possession: the numbers tell a story of sustained pressure against a Qatar side operating deep and on restricted resources. And yet Julen Lopetegui's team, pressed back and limited to 32 per cent of the ball, finished with the same single point as their opponents.
The penalty itself arrived early enough to reshape the match. Qatar's discipline under the demands of containment held reasonably well for a period, but Switzerland's movement in the final third, led with particular sharpness by Rubén Vargas on the right flank, kept them pinned. Abunada, in goal for the hosts, was busy throughout: five saves in 90 minutes against a side generating chances at will is a performance that deserves acknowledgement regardless of the result.
Qatar's own attacking threat was modest. Six shots, three on target, an expected-goals figure of 0.60. Akram Afif, the most recognisable name in Lopetegui's forward line, was industrious without being decisive, and Edmilson Junior showed flashes without ever seriously troubling Gregor Kobel. The hosts' best spells came on the counter, when Switzerland's high line offered the occasional invitation, though Qatar took few of them.
For all their dominance Switzerland could not find a second. Kobel was rarely tested, making three saves, but the absence of a killer instinct in the box is a concern Yakin will want to address before tougher assignments arrive. Embolo worked hard as a lone focal point, Vargas gave Ricardo Rodríguez licence to push forward effectively, and Granit Xhaka controlled the midfield tempo with the authority his side needed. Dan Ndoye and Michel Aebischer, both withdrawn just past the hour, had mixed afternoons in the channels.
The equaliser, when it came, was the kind of moment that reorders a group table in an instant. Muheim, on as a late substitute, turned a cross into his own net in the 90th minute. Qatar, who had spent the best part of 73 minutes chasing the game, were suddenly level. Lopetegui's bench erupted. Yakin's did not.
Group B now sits in complete equilibrium: Switzerland, Canada, Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina all on one point after the opening round. The standings are perfectly flat, and the implications of that are significant. Qatar, the lowest-ranked side by most measures, find themselves exactly where they need to be. Switzerland, by most measures the best team on the pitch at Levi's Stadium, find themselves having to start again next match.
Yakin's side will reflect on a performance that was mostly excellent and a result that was not. The xG does not lie: 3.20 against 0.60 is the profile of a winning side that did not win. Qatar, pragmatic to the last, will take their point and their five goalkeeper saves and move on. On the evidence of this match alone, Switzerland are the more dangerous team. The table, for now, disagrees.