UAE dominate Qatar in World Cup qualifier

Fabio Lima scored four goals, including a first-half hat-trick, as the UAE handed AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar a 5-0 defeat in Abu Dhabi.

The win consolidates the UAE's hold on third place in Group A of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Lima put Paulo Bento’s side ahead in the fourth minute before doubling the lead from the spot in the 45th minute and completed his hat-trick in the fifth minute of first half injury time with a stellar free-kick.

He hit the fourth from the penalty spot in the 56th minute while Yahya Al Ghassani scored the UAE’s fifth with 17 minutes remaining.

Victory moves the Emiratis onto 10 points from six games, three points behind second placed Uzbekistan and a further three points adrift of leaders Iran in the battle for the two automatic berths at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Qatar, meanwhile, remain in fourth on seven points, having failed to build on their last-gasp win over Uzbekistan in Doha last week.