News about Akram Afif

On Sunday evening, a Qatari league match was abruptly interrupted by a club president who screamed over a controversial penalty decision. Al Wakrah began drawing 0-0 with title rivals Al-Sadd in the Qatar top flight when the referee pointed to the spot in the 65th minute, which left the former's president Sheikh Khalifa bin Hassan Al-Thani ecstatic. Al-Thani came down to the touchline before deciding to protest the call ferociously and being asked to be held back by other members of staff.

In a 3-1 victory over Jordan on Saturday, Akram Afif secured back-to-back Asian Cup titles for Qatar. In the first half of the tournament, the forward scored twice before the break at Lusail Stadium, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with eight goals. Yazan Al Naimat had leveled the game in the second half, but Qatar was given two points for video review, and Afif had no nerves to convert on both directions.

After locating the net against Jordan in the Asian Cup final, Qatar forward Akram Afif celebrated in a unique way. In the 22nd minute, Afif opened the scoring from the penalty spot and then proceeded to create a magic trick. The 27-year-old reached into his socks and pulled out a trading card with a snapshot of himself on it.

The results in the stands sparked jubilant scenes in the host country's final on Saturday, with the host nation now backed by several countries to go back-to-back in the tournament. As the referee blew the full time whistle, supporters inside the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha erupted and applauded, with players crashing to their knees in adoration. The holders will face Jordan in the final on Tuesday, with the underdogs winning a surprise victory over South Korea on Tuesday to book their spot in the final for the first time ever.

Following a World Cup full of thrilling moments, heightened excitement, and personal brilliance, it's likely that these teams will take a shot at those who stood out the most from each nation. Now that the award has been awarded, it's time to take a look at each country and see which players could use their World Cup results to leverage a transfer. Dailymail.com examines the players who are most likely from their country to move to a different club.

Holland needs only a point against already-eliminated host country Qatar to guarantee their spot in the World Cup knockout stages. Louis van Gaal's squad won 2-0 in their Group A opener, but Ecuador kept them to a 1-1 draw. Holland is currently in first place in the South American rankings thanks to their outstanding fair play record. Sportmail takes you through everything you should do about the Group A experience.

LEWIS STEELE FOR THE MAIL: Aside from Qatar's grubby human rights record and under-the-table political dealings to host this tournament, football fans have criticized the 2022 World Cup due to a lack of sporting heritage, culture, and romance. Since 1934, no nation has hosted a World Cup having never participated in a finals before. Qatar does not have the privilege of being in Rio de Janeiro or Berlin's Olympiastadion. And to put it mildly, how many Qatari footballers can you name - past or present? The World Cup hosts have never lost the first game of their home tournament in 22 attempts. At a glance, the record looks to be in jeopardy of ending as Qatar hosts Ecuador faces Ecuador on Sunday in Al-Bayt.

In the first game of the 2022 World Cup, Qatar will face Ecuador on Sunday, November 20. Qatar will be keen to show off on home soil, while Gustavo Alfaro's will be full of confidence after finishing third in the CONMEBOL qualifying tournament. So, with the impending war, Sportsmail guides you through all you need to hear.

After coach Felix Sanchez named his 26-man squad for the tournament on Friday, Qatar's all-time top scorer Almoez Ali and Akram Afif are expected to lead the attack for the World Cup hosts. Sanchez has chosen the majority of the squad that helped Qatar win the Asian Cup in 2019, where Ali — who has 42 goals in 85 games for his country — was top scorer with nine points, while his strike partner Afif netted in the final against Japan 3-1. Hasan Al-Haydos is the most versatile player on the roster, while Al Sadd's midfielder, who can also play as a winger, will lead Qatar in the finals.

Sportmail takes you through Group A, which includes Holland, Qatar, Senegal, and Ecuador. You will learn how each qualified for the tournament, their roots, and what to watch out for. Both bets point to Holland's smooth transition to the last-16 from Group A, but Louis van Gaal's side might not have it all that smooth. The Dutch are the most likely winners with the most World Cup pedigree, knowledge, and talent, but the Dutch are also winners, but this group has a lot of potential for a few scalps to be taken and a close run affair.