Qatari footballer Mohammed Muntari scored Qatar first ever goal in a World Cup against Senegal on Friday, even as the FIFA World Cup 2022 host lost the match 3-1 at the end. 

Muntari’s goal came in the 78th minute when Qatar were already down by two goals, raising hopes among thousands of home supporters at the Al Thumama Stadium that their team will also pull off a shock win against the champions of Africa.

Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Iranian fan with Mahsa Amini jersey removed from stadium during Wales vs Iran

Watch Muntari’s goal here.

Qatari fans erupted in joy after Muntari’s goal as it seemed that their relatively drab campaign so far might take an about-turn. After qualifying as the host nation of the World Cup, Qatar were trashed 2-0 by Ecuador in the opening fixture of the tournament.

Watch Qatari fans at the stadium celebrate after the goal.

Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Did Iranians want their own football team to lose?

“As you said, mixed feelings,” Muntari said after the match. “It’s a privilege to score our first goal at the tournament but we ended up losing. This is our first time. It’s an experience and we will take the positives,” he added. 

Muntari is originally from Ghana and he started his football career at the Golden Lions Soccer Academy, owned by Senegalese player Tariq Lamptey. He migrated to Qatar while he was still a teenager after he was selected for the Aspire Academy in Doha.

His first game for Qatar was on December 27, 2014, in a friendly against Estonia. He also managed to sore in his debut match.

Currently, Muntari plays for Al-Duhail, a Qatari top-division club.

Qatar will face the Netherlands next in their final group-stage game on Tuesday, November 29.