Whilst AFC Asian Cup debutants Tajikistan stunningly qualified for the last 16 in their debut in the completion, in their match, hosts, Qatar, moved on relentlessly after beating a much-fancied China in the final round of the opening group stages.
It was newbies, Tajikistan, who went through in dramatic fashion when they came from behind to snatch a last-gasp 2-1 victory over 10-man Lebanon in Group A after scoring their first ever goals in the tournament. And this coming after having two goals ruled out for offside by VAR.
Lebanon, who had Kassem El-Zein sent off in the second half, saw late strikes from skipper Parvizdzhon Umarbayev and Nuriddin Khamrokulov giving them a memorable win. In the final round of matches in Group A., it was Qatar substitute, Hasan Al Haydos, who came off the bench to volley home from outside the box just after the hour mark, after a precise corner cross from Akram Afif.
The latest round of matches means that the home nation qualify for the knockout rounds with a perfect record. With China failing to score in the tournament, they finished third in the group with two draws and one loss.