The Lebanon national football team faced a disappointing defeat against Sudan during the 2025 Arab Cup qualifiers. The match took place at the Thani bin Jassim Stadium in Doha, attracting an audience of 20,816 spectators, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Lebanese Football Federation President Hachem Haidar.
Match Overview
Lebanon began the game with a numerical advantage after Sudan’s John Mano received a red card in the 23rd minute. Despite losing defender Hussein Sharafeddine to injury shortly afterward, Lebanon capitalized on Sudan’s misstep. Khalil Khamis scored the opening goal for Lebanon in the 30th minute, giving them a 1-0 lead.
Turning Point of the Game
However, just before halftime, Sudan equalized when Mostafa Khorshom scored from a corner kick that was poorly cleared by the Lebanese defense. This equalizer shifted the momentum, leaving Lebanon struggling despite their numerical superiority.
Second Half Struggles
As the second half began, expectations were high for Lebanon to dominate, especially with their talented offensive lineup. Players like Samy Merhej, Malek Fakhro, and Gabriel Bitar were expected to make an impact. Instead, the team struggled to create opportunities and failed to exploit the advantage effectively, leading to a frustrating performance.
Sudan took the lead in the 73rd minute when Yasser Goubak scored following a counterattack. Despite Lebanon’s pressure in the final moments, they failed to equalize. Sudan ultimately secured a 2-1 victory.
Implications of the Loss
This defeat eliminates Lebanon from the qualifiers, a crushing outcome given their favorable circumstances before the match. The team finished with a scoreline that reflected missed opportunities and an inability to leverage their conditions.
Team Performance and Next Steps
Players such as Mostafa Matar, Mohamad Haidar, and others showed potential, but the match underscored the challenges faced by the Lebanese squad. This loss serves as a reminder that talent alone is not enough in international football; teams must also capitalize on their advantages.
Looking Ahead
As Lebanon regroups after this setback, attention must turn to future matches. The team’s ability to convert advantages into results will be crucial for upcoming competitions.
