In one of the most thrilling matches of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, Bangladesh suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to Hong Kong China at the National Stadium in Dhaka. Despite showing incredible spirit to come back from a 3-1 deficit, a stoppage-time goal by Rafael Marques sealed Bangladesh’s fate.

Bangladesh took an early lead in the 13th minute through Hamza Choudhury, whose powerful free-kick curled into the net — marking his second international goal. However, in added time of the first half, Everton Camargo equalized for Hong Kong after Bangladesh failed to clear a corner.

Defensive errors haunted Bangladesh after the break. In the 50th minute, a misplaced pass by defender Shakil Ahad Topu allowed Rafael Marques to score his first of the night. He later doubled the lead in the 75th minute to make it 3-1.

Refusing to give up, Bangladesh launched a spirited comeback. Sheikh Morsalin reduced the deficit in the 84th minute after the Hong Kong goalkeeper fumbled a shot. Then, in added time, Shamit Shome’s header from a Morsalin corner made it 3-3 — sending the home fans into wild celebration.

But heartbreak followed immediately. In the 11th minute of stoppage time, Rafael Marques completed his hat-trick, silencing the stadium and ending Bangladesh’s 45-year wait for another Asian Cup appearance.