Doha: Al Rayyan booked their place in the final of the 2025–2026 QSL Cup after a dramatic 17-16 victory on penalties over Umm Salal, following a thrilling 3-3 draw in regulation time at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Saturday.
The semi-final encounter delivered high drama from start to finish, with Abdulaziz Hazaa’s missed attempt proving decisive in the marathon shootout, the only miss in an extended series of spot-kicks.
Umm Salal made a flying start, taking the lead in the fifth minute through Cristo González, who converted from the penalty spot after a foul by Al Rayyan’s Brazilian midfielder Gregore on Salem Ali Al Hajr inside the area.
Buoyed by the early breakthrough, Umm Salal continued to press forward and doubled their advantage in the 30th minute. Salem Ali Al Hajr turned in a long-range free-kick delivered by Oussama Tannane to put his side firmly in control.
Al Rayyan responded before the break, with Tiago Silva pulling one back in the 40th minute. His corner kick sailed through a crowded box before nestling into the top right corner, reducing the deficit to 2-1 at half-time.
The second half maintained the intensity, and Umm Salal restored their two-goal cushion in the 65th minute through Jean Quaisi, who finished off a well-worked move initiated by Cristo Pérez.
Al Rayyan refused to relent and found a way back into the contest in the closing stages. A strike from Gabriel Pereira took a deflection off Edidiong Udosen before finding the net in the 84th minute.
With momentum shifting, Al Rayyan pushed forward in search of an equaliser and were rewarded deep into stoppage time when Rodrigo Machado struck in the fifth minute of added time to level the scores at 3-3, forcing the match into penalties.
The ensuing shootout proved to be a test of nerve and endurance, stretching to an extraordinary 33 kicks before Al Rayyan finally emerged victorious, sealing their place in the final of the competition.
The result capped a remarkable comeback by Al Rayyan in one of the most entertaining matches of the season, as they now turn their focus to the title decider.
