Yemen comfortably defeated Sri Lanka 3-0 in their FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) first-round match on October 13, 2023. The commanding performance at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, gave Yemen a healthy aggregate advantage. Yemen controlled the match from the outset, scoring three goals without reply in a display of organized and effective football. The victory put Yemen firmly in control of the tie ahead of the second leg on neutral ground. For Sri Lanka, the result was a difficult one, leaving them with a significant deficit to overcome if they were to keep their World Cup dreams alive.