Soccer-Lima hails UAE's demolition of Qatar as best performance of 2026 qualifiers

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - World Cup - Asian Qualifiers - Third Round - Group A - United Arab Emirates v Qatar - Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - November 19, 2024 United Arab Emirates' Fabio Lima scores their second goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Rula Rouhana/File Photo

(Reuters) - Four-goal striker Fabio Lima said the United Arab Emirates' 5-0 thrashing of Qatar on Tuesday was his team's finest performance in the third phase of Asia's World Cup qualifying.

Brazil-born Lima opened the scoring in the fourth minute in Abu Dhabi, before netting a pair of penalties and a brilliant free kick from distance to consolidate the UAE's hold on third place in Group A.