Sword of Challenge Strikes Again: Wahda Edges Duhail in a Dramatic Emirates-Qatar Super Cup

Match Highlights

Al Wahda captured the 2026 Emirates-Qatar Super Cup, known as the Sword of Challenge, edging Al Duhail 1-0 at the Al Nahyan Stadium thanks to Omar Khribin's 29th minute penalty.

The game also produced discipline issues, with Salah Zakaria of Al Duhail and Abdullah Hamad of Al Wahda sent off during the contest.

Duhail's title defense took a hit, following their 1-3 loss to Shabab Al Ahli in the competition's inaugural 2024 edition.

Early on, the visitors were reduced to ten when goalkeeper Salah Zakaria was sent off in the 10th minute for a foul on Khribin outside the box, forcing Bautista Burki to come on in goal.

Al Wahda opened the scoring after Gonzalo Mora was fouled by Sultan Al-Brek, earning a penalty that Khribin calmly converted in the 29th minute.

Despite a stronger second half, Duhail could not find the equalizer; a late effort by Adel Bolbineh in 90+3 was ruled out after a VAR review for a prior foul on a Wahda defender.

The match swung back to ten men for Wahda in stoppage time as Abdullah Hamad was sent off in the 90+9 minute, fracturing the late drama.

For context, Adel Bolbineh, Algeria's star, had been named Man of the Match in AFCON 2025 for a brief yet decisive appearance against Congo, despite playing only seven minutes.

Ultimately Khribin's penalty held up as the winner, sealing Al Wahda's triumph in the Sword of Challenge.

Punchline 1: That goal was so precise it could file its own taxes.

Punchline 2: If VAR were a sniper, it would take aim at confusion and call it a win every time.