UAE keep World Cup dream alive with last-gasp winner against North Korea

UAE manager Paulo Bento likened the clash against North Korea to a cup final ahead of their decisive showdown in Riyadh on Tuesday evening.

But unlike traditional finals, where extra time offers one last chance at glory, this high-stakes encounter allowed no such luxury. With the match level at 1-1 heading into the dying moments, Bento could only rely on added time instead of an extended lifeline.

For the UAE, who desperately needed a win after Uzbekistan’s earlier draw with Iran, those fleeting minutes carried the weight of their World Cup aspirations.

As the referee’s watch ticked down, and the dream of just a second-ever World Cup appearance seemed to be slipping away, the UAE found their moment of magic.

Sultan Adil stepped up as the hero, scoring a dramatic last-gasp winner in the eighth minute of additional time to keep their hopes of a trip to North America next year alive.

Despite an explosive start, the Whites found it tough to convert possession into goals in what looked to be a frustrating night in Riyadh.

Fabio Lima, the talisman who inspired UAE fans with his four-goal heroics against Qatar last November, returned to the starting lineup and wasted no time making his presence felt.

The 31-year-old latched onto a rebound just five minutes in, calmly slotting the ball home to give the UAE a crucial early lead. Lima’s clinical finish sent the small group of traveling supporters into a frenzy, momentarily lifting the pressure that has shadowed the team throughout this campaign.

But just as halftime approached, disaster struck. Yu-Song Kim found the net for North Korea two minutes before the interval, delivering a cruel blow to the UAE's momentum. With their hopes teetering, Bento’s team needed a second-half resurgence to rescue their qualification campaign.

The Whites threw everything at their opponents after the break, relentlessly searching for the elusive second goal. Yet, fate seemed to conspire against them— - chances went begging, the woodwork denied them, and North Korea’s goalkeeper Jun-Hyok Kang made a series of saves.

As the minutes ticked down, it seemed the UAE would be consigned to navigating the treacherous waters of the fourth round of AFC qualifying.

Enter Sultan Adil. In a moment that will live long in UAE football folklore, Adil soared like Superman, launching himself into the air for a diving header that nestled into the far corner of the net in the 98^th minute.

His heroics in stoppage time sparked wild celebrations on the pitch, in the stands, and across the UAE bench. A crucial 2-1 victory was secured, keeping their World Cup aspirations alive.

While the result keeps the UAE firmly in the mix, the road ahead remains steep. Uzbekistan, who impressed with their draw in Tehran, still hold the upper hand. With two matches remaining, they sit four points clear of the UAE. However, the gap could shrink to a single point when the two sides clash in a decisive showdown on June 5 in the UAE.

Nothing less than victory will suffice for Bento's men to keep their automatic qualification hopes alive. Should they prevail, the group’s final game week will set the stage for an epic finale.

The UAE would head to Kyrgyzstan, aiming to replicate their 3-0 victory from the reverse fixture, while Uzbekistan host Qatar, the only side to have beaten them in the third round of qualifying.

If last night was a cup final, the upcoming UAE vs. Uzbekistan clash is nothing short of a Super Bowl in the making.