WATCH extended 2021 FIFA Arab Cup daily highlights from December 1-19 via SBS On Demand, plus LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE coverage of the semi-finals and final on SBS and SBS On Demand from December 16.
Tunisia 5 - 1 Mauritania
A dominant performance from Tunisia gave them the biggest win of the day as they blew out Mauritania in the first half at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium. Seifeddine Jaziri netted two goals, Firas Belarabi added a brace, and Youssef Msakni also scored on a strike late in the game.
Moulay Bessam scored the only goal for Mauritania from a penalty on the stroke of half time.
Tunisia now sit top of Group B on goal difference after the UAE took second with a win over Syria.
UAE 2 - 1 Syria
The other opening match in Group B saw the United Arab Emirates edge a resurgent Syria outfit at Stadium 974 in Doha.
Caio Canedo finished off a series of quick passes with a deft header to give UAE the lead in the 24th minute before teammate Ali Saleh made it two six minutes later with a first-time strike.
But Syria turned the tide in the second half, breaking through in the 60th minute as a poor back pass by Canedo found its way to Ward Al Salama who fired home to inspire hopes of a comeback.
But it wasn't to be, as the UAE held on for an important three points.
Qatar 1 - 0 Bahrain
The host nation defeated their Gulf rivals in the opening game of the tournament after a series of close chances finally culminated in a second half goal from Hatem to break the deadlock.
Qatar controlled play for most of the game in a strong showing against Bahrain, who they hadn't previously beaten since a friendly all the way back in 2004.
They take first place in Group A as the only team with 3 points after the other game saw a draw between Iraq and Oman.
Iraq 1 - 1 Oman
A last-gasp equaliser from Hasan Abdulkareem snatched a draw and a point for Iraq after Saleh al-Yehani gave Oman the lead in the 78th minute.
The most successful team in the competition's history, the thrilling stoppage-time ending marked an important point for Iraq while Oman will feel like they should have taken all three.
The Arab Cup continues tomorrow with three more matches as Egypt take on Lebanon, Morocco clash with Palestine and Saudi Arabia square off with Jordan.
2021 FIFA Arab Cup on SBS and SBS On Demand - LIVE schedule
Arab Cup semi-finals
Thursday, December 16
Semi-final 1
TBC v TBC
1:30am (AEDT) – 4:00am (AEDT)
Semi-final 2
TBC v TBC
5:30am (AEDT) – 8:00am (AEDT)
Arab Cup final
Sunday, December 19
TBC v TBC
1:30am (AEDT) – 4:30 am (AEDT)
