Article by Romeo Ene – Published on Sunday, 14 June 2026, 00:33 / Updated on Sunday, 14 June 2026 00:33
Qatar and Switzerland provided the first big surprise of the 2026 World Cupafter the representative team prepared by Julen Lopetegui (59 years old) achieved a tie, 1-1, thanks to the goal scored by Boualem Khoukhi (90+4'). At the end of the match, former internationals Florin Răducioiu (56 years old) and Bogdan Stelea (58 years old) had different opinions regarding the conduct of the game.
Răducioiu felt Switzerland took the second half too lightly and paid for not securing victory earlier.
Instead, Bogdan Stelea rejected that interpretation and claimed that the credit for the result belonged entirely to Qatar, who defended superbly and put in a solid performance throughout the encounter.
Florin Răducioiu and Bogdan Stelea, different opinions after Qatar – Switzerland 1-1
In his analysis, Răducioiu stated that Switzerland could have tied the game from the first half, but wasted too many opportunities, concluding that “football does not forgive”.
“We didn't expect something like this, the first surprise of the World Cup. Unfortunately, Switzerland, which is an extraordinarily valuable team, surprised me, this superficiality, especially in the second half. In the first half they dominated, if it was 4-1 or 5-1 at halftime nobody would have said anything.
Football does not forgive, it is merciless with strong teams, who must understand that they must not play superficially and score more goals to be as sure of victory as possible. It's a small miracle.
It is the first point in the history of this very small country at a World Cup. They played with courage, they were solid defensively. Only the superficiality of the Swiss made the score different. Bravo to them, that makes this World Championship interesting and is the first surprise of this edition”, said Florin Răducioiu on Antena 1.
And defending means playing. They made the most of what they knew they could do to achieve a positive result. I have seen them in many situations being on the edge of their own box, on two lines, one more crowded, the other less so. They were set up in a 6-4, sort of like this, on defense.
But I don't agree that Switzerland was shallow. Switzerland conceded an early goal and then let the game flow, waiting for the opportunity to score the second goal. They didn't have very clear opportunities, because the Qataris defended very well and put them in situations where they ended up shooting, but not very freely. I have not seen very clear situations. Their goalkeeper had a pretty good day, he made some important saves and that's how they took courage.
They are much more used to playing in the heat and making an effort, compared to Switzerland, and I think that helped them. In the end, we saw them quite fresh, reaching the opposing box.– Bogdan Stelea
Ranking in group B
