Ayo Victor
Doha: Al Sadd booked their place in the Qatar Cup 2026 final with a spirited 2-1 comeback victory over Al Gharafa at Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.
Al Gharafa struck first in the 14th minute when Frank Magri finished clinically after a precise pass from Yacine Brahimi. The Wolves responded with sustained pressure and levelled in the 26th minute through Hashim Ali’s stunning long-range strike, which followed a cleared set-piece delivery.
Two minutes before half-time, Al Sadd completed the turnaround. Akram Afif, in excellent form this season, delivered a sublime assist for Mohamed Manai, who finished with an exquisite backheel flick.
Al Gharafa’s task grew harder in the 87th minute when Rayyan Al-Ali was sent off for pushing goal-bound Hasan Al Haydos. Al Sadd nearly added a third late on, but Seydou Sano produced a crucial goal-line clearance to keep the deficit at one.
Al Rayyan advance after dramatic penalty shootout
In the other semi-final at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Al Rayyan defeated Al Shamal 5-4 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Roger Guedes scored twice for Al Rayyan (24th minute and a 74th-minute penalty), while Wesley Said (27th and 64th minutes) and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (54th) found the net for Al Shamal. Julien De Sart equalised for Al Rayyan in the sixth minute of stoppage time (90+6). Baghdad Bounedjah thought he had won it for Al Shamal a minute later, but VAR ruled the goal out for an earlier foul, sending the tie to penalties.
In the shootout, Al Rayyan’s Julien De Sart, Wesley Said, Hisham Ali, Roger Guedes and Andre Amaro scored, while Gregore De Magalhaes missed. For Al Shamal, Alex Collado, Nassim Mubarak, Musaab Khidir and Abdelkarim Fadalla converted; Fahad Waad and Ben Romdhane missed. Al Shamal goalkeeper Babacar Seck made one save, and Al Rayyan’s Mahmud Abunada also denied a kick, but it was not enough for Al Shamal after Ben Romdhane shot over.
Al Rayyan will face Al Sadd in the Qatar Cup 2026 final.