UAE's defender #16 Marcus Meloni (C) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between United Arab Emirates and Oman at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. Photo: AFP
The Emiratis, who last appeared at a World Cup in 1990, were made to work for their win, when late goals from Marcus Meloni and Caio Lucas sealed the three points at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium
The UAE now sit top of Group A heading into the final round of matches on Tuesday, when victory against at Qatar would secure a first World Cup appearance in more than three decades.
Oman took the lead on 12 minutes when Amjad Al Harthi fired home from Majed Hassan's cross, which took a wicked deflection off Kouadio Kouame before settling in the back of the net.
However, the UAE reacted deep into the second half, when substitute Ali Saleh whipped in a pinpoint cross for Meloni to finish with a thumping header past Ibrahim Al Mukhaini.
Not long after, substitute Caio Lucas sent in a cross that evaded everyone and ended up in the UAE net, which shifted the balance in the hosts' favour.
The UAE now lead Group B heading into Tuesday's decisive matches against 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, while in Group A Saudi Arabia remain in pole position to qualify, with each group winner qualifying for next year's tournament.
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