Hosts Qatar retained the Asian Cup with a 3-1 win on Saturday against surprise packages Jordan with Akram Afif the home hero with a hat-trick of penalties. It was a fitting final act to a month of football that began with 24 teams and witnessed a series of dramatic games.

Akram Afif hits hat-trick as hosts Qatar retain Asian Cup title, beat Jordan in final

Hosts and holders Qatar squeezed into an Asian Cup final showdown with Jordan after beating Iran 3-2 with an 82nd-minute winner in a frenetic semi-final on Wednesday.

Asian Cup: Defending champion Qatar beat Iran 3-2 in thriller to reach final; face Jordan for top prize

Japan on Monday defeated Iran 3-0 to reach the Asian Cup final, where they will be seeking their fifth title. Yuya Osako scored twice in the second half, including a VAR-assisted penalty, and Genki Haraguchi netted in injury time to complete an emphatic win.

Japan defeat Iran to reach Asian Cup final, eye fifth title

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Akram Afif hits hat-trick as hosts Qatar retain Asian Cup title, beat Jordan in final

Asian Cup: Defending champion Qatar beat Iran 3-2 in thriller to reach final; face Jordan for top prize

Japan defeat Iran to reach Asian Cup final, eye fifth title