Doha, December 01 (QNA) - The Syrian national football team defeated their Tunisian counterparts 1–0, in the Group A match that took place at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Monday, as part of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025.

Both teams showed a good technical performance in the game, with a slight advantage for Tunisia, despite facing great difficulty in breaking through Syrian defenses.

Syria relied on quick transitions and played with tight defensive organization, imposing strict marking on the opponent's key players.

Both teams shook off their defensive caution 15 minutes into the match, when Mohammad Alsalkhadi sent a direct ball from the right side, which Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen caught with ease in the 25th minute.

Tunisia responded with an arcing ball on the right side that Omar Laayouni sent into the box toward the oncoming Firas Chaouat, yet Syrian defense intervened to cut it out in the 30th minute.

As time went on, Tunisia dominated possession, Ismael Gharbi nearly shook the Syrian net with a powerful strike, but it deflected off Yassine Meriah and went wide in the 33rd minute.

After Syrian goalkeeper Shaher Al Shakhir saved a shot from Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Ali Maaloul recorded one of Tunisia's most dangerous chances with a direct free kick from the edge of the box, but it sailed over the crossbar in the 42nd minute.

Syria's Omar Khribin took the lead converting a direct free kick in the 48th minute to his country's opening goal.

Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi turned to his bench and decided to bring on last tournament's top scorer, Seifeddine Jaziri, in the 64th minute.

Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane almost equalized with a powerful strike from outside the box that went just wide, before Syrian goalkeeper Shaher Al Shakhir brilliantly saved a shot from Omar Laayouni in the 66th minute.

The Syrian goalkeeper again intervened to stop a follow-up effort from Firas Chaouat inside the penalty area, preserving his team's lead.

Spanish coach Jose Lana, leading the Syrian team, made some midfield changes, bringing on Mohammad Anez and Yassin Samia in the 74th minute.

Syria maintained their defensive balance, with goalkeeper Shaher Al Shakhir continuing to protect his goalpost fervently, saving against Ismael Gharbi's shot that was heading towards the net in the third minute of stoppage time.

In the remaining minutes, the Tunisian team continued to seek an equalizer to no avail, and the match ended with a 1–0 victory for Syria. (QNA)