#AsianCup2023 ｜ Final ： Jordan 1 - 3 Qatar
No matter the outcome, history will be made today as Jordan and Qatar face off in the
Lusail Stadium with the 2023 Asian Cup on the line.
While Jordan have already gone above and beyond by making it to the final, actually lifting
the trophy would go down as one of the greatest achievements the tournament has ever witnessed.
But they face a host nation, Qatar, that are one game away from securing back-to-back titles
on home soil and with a full house cheering them on.
With nothing to lose and everything to play for, the 2023 Asian Cup final is here and now.
Salim Al-Ajalin and Ali Olwan both return from suspension and go straight into the starting
line-up, with Al-Mahdi dropping back into midfield again for Jordan.
It's a similar story for Lopez Marquez's side, with Tarek Salman coming back into defence
and captain Hassan Al-Haydos back in the starting eleven, Yusuf Abdurisak makes his second start
on the right wing after impressing last time out.
Electric atmosphere here in the Lusail Stadium, Jordan looking for the opening goal.
Not a bad effort at all, Yassin Al-Neymat with the long-range effort, Basham with the save.
Qatar coming back the other way, Akram Afif, he's gone down and the referee has pointed
straight to the spot, Nassib with the foul on Qatar's talisman, and there is contact there.
Akram Afif with a chance to give Qatar the lead here in the Asian Cup final, Afif finds
the bottom corner, and it's more magic from Akram Afif, his sixth goal of the tournament.
Qatar looking for a second from a set-piece here, and not a bad one either, Lucas Mendes
with the header down into the ground, but Abu Laila with a good save.
The first half is almost over, Jordan perhaps finds an equaliser just before the break.
Fantastic block by Mohamed Watt, who's in the right place at the right time to deny Al-Tamari.
Qatar with a one-goal lead at the break here.
Jordan started this second half extremely well, piling on the pressure, chance here
to make it 1-1. Hesan Haddad trying to catch Barsham out at his near-post.
Good delivery, a really good strike there as well, Al-Arab on the volley, gets acrobatic,
Barsham called into action once more.
That's been all Jordan in this second half, they really are battling their way back into
this, Barsham with the save, all one, with the cheeky little backheel there.
What an equaliser that could have been.
Qatar have spent the entirety of this second half so far on the back foot defending.
Al-Neymah brings it down beautifully, Al-Neymah with the equaliser!
Jordan back in it, Hesan Al-Neymah, what a first touch and what a finish to match.
Smashes it past Barsham.
Long ball over the top, Zalmo Ezzali, inside, oh, player's gone down.
Ismail Mohamed, caught by Almahdi, and Qatar will have a second penalty.
Akram Afif has scored one from the spot, he's scored two from the spot now.
Minutes after conceding, Qatar back in the lead, and of course it's that man Afif again.
Akram Afif, through on goal here, just the keeper to beat, he's brought down.
Was there contact on the player?
Well, Abu Laila getting nothing but Afif there.
Chance for Akram Afif to make it three and wrap things up,
Akram Afif with his first international hat-trick, and what a time to pull it out of the bag.
3-1 the final score, it's heartbreak for Jordan,
but they can be proud of achieving more than anyone expected them to,
and will go home as heroes after pushing the hosts to their limits,
while Qatar become the first team in 20 years to win back-to-back titles,
as an Akram Afif hat-trick of penalties secures a 3-1 win,
and makes them the 2023 Asian Cup champions.
What a tournament, we'll see you next time.