Soccer-Afif nets penalty hat-trick as Qatar beat Jordan to retain Asian Cup crown

Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Final - Jordan v Qatar - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - February 10, 2024 Qatar's Akram Afif celebrates with teammates after winning the AFC Asian Cup REUTERS/Molly Darlington

LUSAIL, Qatar (Reuters) -Qatar successfully defended their Asian Cup crown after beating Jordan 3-1 on Saturday at Lusail Stadium where Akram Afif converted three penalties as the hosts won their second continental title.

Jordan were playing in their first Asian Cup final and seeking their first major trophy, but it was Qatar who prevailed in front of 86,492 fans including Qatar's ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.