Jordan decimated Pakistan 7-0 in a riveting FIFA World Cup 2026 Round 2 Qualifier clash held at the Amman International Stadium on Wednesday.
The star of the show was undoubtedly Jordanian sensation Musa Al-Taamari, who scored a hat trick. Al-Taamari's majestic strikes came in the 15th, 62nd, and 79th minutes, leaving the Pakistani defense in shambles.
Adding to Pakistan's woes, Yazan Al-Naimat coolly converted a penalty in the 28th minute, amplifying Jordan's lead. Saed Al-Rosan joined the scoring spree in the 52nd minute, followed by clinical finishes from Ali Olwan in the 75th minute and Mohammad Abu Zryaq in the 83rd minute.
The first half had hinted at a competitive matchup, with Pakistan putting up a resilient fight. However, the absence of key defenders Mohammad Fazal and Abdullah Iqbal dealt a severe blow to Pakistan's defensive stability.
Fazal's sidelining due to a hamstring injury and Iqbal's suspension, owing to accumulated yellow cards, left Pakistan vulnerable.
Despite a spirited start to the qualifiers, Pakistan's journey has been a rollercoaster ride of triumphs and setbacks. The team savored a historic 1-0 victory against Cambodia last October, igniting hopes of a remarkable campaign. Yet, their aspirations were dented by a crushing 4-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the subsequent round.
The recent encounter at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad saw Jordan emerge triumphant once again, securing a 3-0 victory over Pakistan.
This victory marked Jordan's return to Pakistani soil for a football fixture after an 18-year hiatus.
