Group A of the FIFA Arab Cup delivered its most dramatic night yet as Syria stunned hosts Qatar with a stoppage-time equaliser in Al Rayyan, while Palestine produced another remarkable late fightback in Lusail to hold Tunisia 2-2 and strengthen their bid for a historic first appearance in the knockout stages.

The results leave the group on a knife-edge, with Syria and Palestine now level at the summit and every team still alive heading into the final round.

At Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar entered the match under mounting pressure after their opening defeat to Palestine, while Syria were buoyed by their victory over Tunisia.

The intensity was evident from the outset. Syria carved out the evening’s first major chance in the 22nd when captain Omar Khribin lifted a delicate chip over the advancing goalkeeper, only for Mohammed Waad to sprint back and clear the ball off the line before slamming into the post - a moment that visibly rattled the home crowd.

Qatar responded with sustained pressure, especially early in the second half. Their best opportunity arrived in the 77th through a beautifully-delivered cross from Edmilson Junior.

Substitute Ahmed Al Aaedin rose above defender Ahmad Faqa and guided a precise header into the far corner to send the stadium into eruption and put Qatar 1–0 ahead. With their first win of the tournament almost in sight, the hosts attempted to slow the tempo and hold their shape as Syria committed bodies forward.

But Syria refused to concede. In stoppage time, and with the hosts pinned deep inside their own half, the ball broke kindly for Khribin at the edge of the box. The Syrian captain unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner in the 90+1st minute - an unstoppable effort that silenced the stadium and earned him Player of the Match.

The 1–1 draw preserved Syria’s unbeaten run while leaving Qatar’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Earlier at Lusail Stadium, Palestine and Tunisia produced a compelling contest defined by momentum swings and raw emotion.

Tunisia, who had suffered a surprise defeat to Syria in their opening match, began with urgency and control. Their breakthrough arrived in the 16th when Ismael Gharbi’s in-swinging corner from the left caused chaos in the box. The ball deflected off two Palestinian defenders before falling to Amor Layouni at the back post, who swept in from close range.

Six minutes into the second half, Tunisia doubled their lead through an excellent move down the left: Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane muscled past Michael Termanini and delivered a low ball across the area for Firas Chaouat to fire beyond Rami Hamada for 2–0.

With 45,000 fans looking on, Palestine refused to wilt. Their revival began in the 61st when Hamed Hamdan met a loose ball at the top of the box with a rasping, rising volley that tore through traffic and into the net, injecting belief into the side.

As Tunisia retreated deeper, Palestine pushed relentlessly for the equaliser, and the pressure finally told in the 85th. A half-cleared ball fell to Zaid Qunbar, who drilled a low shot through the legs of two defenders and past Aymen Dahmen. The goal, which earned Qunbar the Player of the Match award, sparked wild celebrations on the Palestinian bench and secured a priceless point.