2022 World Cup hosts Qatar secure back-to-back Asian Cup titles as Akram Afif scores hat-trick of penalties to lead his country to 3-1 win over Jordan

Akram Afif scored a hat-trick of penalties to secure the Asian Cup titles for Qatar in a 3-1 win against Jordan on Saturday.

The striker struck in the first half of the final and then twice after the break at the Lusail Stadium to finish as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals.

Yazan Al Naimat had leveled the match in the second half but Qatar were awarded two penalties after video review and Afif showed no nerves to convert on both occasions.

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé had lit up this spectacular stadium during the World Cup, and now it was Afif’s turn, with his goals in front of more than 86,000 fans crowning his excellent tournament.

Qatar became the first consecutive winner since Japan in 2000 and 2004. It is the fifth country to successfully defend the title, although Iran won it three times in a row between 1968 and 1976.

Hasan Al Haydos of Qatar receives the trophy from the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

Akram Afif’s delighted celebration as he scores his third penalty of the match, securing his hat-trick and the trophy

Afif was brought down in injury time in the penalty area by Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila

But despite being defending champions, it was an unexpected victory for a country that endured a miserable World Cup on home soil in 2022 when it exited the tournament after three consecutive group stage defeats.

Spanish coach Márquez López had only been hired in December and Qatar was defeated 2-1 by Jordan in a friendly match in January.

The preparations were far from ideal, but it didn’t take long for Qatar to once again show their credentials as potential champions after a record 100% win in the group stages, with a standout performance from Afif.

Afif won, converting a penalty in the 22nd minute on Saturday but Jordan, playing in his first Asian Cup final, was back level when Al Naimat fired home from the penalty area in the 67th.

At that moment, Jordan was on top.

Afif converted all his goals from the spot and appeared to stay cool throughout

Jordan’s players look disconsolate after losing their first-ever Asian Cup final

Qatar will feel a degree of vindication after meekly exiting its own World Cup

However, they fell behind again when Ismaeel Mohammad was brought down by Mahmoud Al Mardi.

It took a video review for referee Ma Ning to point to the spot, but when he did, Afif delivered again, firing into the left corner.

In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Afif completed his hat-trick after being fouled by Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila.

Once again, a video review was required to award the penalty. Once again Afif converted.