Twelve days ago, Qatar were celebrating a historic milestone.
A dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Switzerland had secured the Asian champions their first-ever FIFA World Cup point and kept alive hopes of reaching the knockout rounds in what would have been one of the greatest achievements in the nation's football history.
That optimism now feels a distant memory.
Two defeats later, Qatar's World Cup campaign is over after a humiliating 6-0 loss to co-hosts Canada in Vancouver which was followed by a 3-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on Wednesday.
Needing not only a victory but a convincing one to stand any chance of progressing as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams, Julen Lopetegui's side instead found themselves chasing the game for long periods.
The Spaniard made several changes following the Canada defeat, with veteran Hassan al-Haydos returning to captain the side in place of Yusuf Abdurisag. Issa Laidouni was deployed in defence, while Karim Boudiaf started in midfield. Pedro Miguel returned at right-back and Ahmed Fathy and Sultan al-Braik came into the starting line-up following the suspensions of Assim Madibo and Homam al-Amin.
But the reshuffle did little to stem Bosnia's momentum.
Bosnia flew out of the blocks and could have been ahead inside the opening minutes, forcing goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada into a series of saves.
Qatar struggled to contain the Europeans' intensity and fell behind in the 29th minute when 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic produced a moment of individual brilliance, weaving past several defenders before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the top corner.
Things went from bad to worse 10 minutes later. A deep cross from Sead Kolasinac found captain Edin Dzeko at the far post and, on his 150th appearance for Bosnia, the veteran striker volleyed the ball back across goal, with a deflection off al-Braik resulting in an unfortunate own goal.
At 2-0 down and staring at elimination, Qatar finally showed signs of life. Al-Haydos – Qatar’s most-capped player – reduced the deficit just before the break with a close-range finish, after a pass from Edmilson Junior, to offer a glimmer of hope.
Qatar nearly found an equaliser in stoppage time when Pedro Miguel struck the post, but it proved to be their best chance of a comeback.
Bosnia remained in control throughout the second half. While Qatar pushed forward in search of a route back into the contest, the Bosnians looked the more threatening side.
Qatar's hopes suffered another blow when al-Haydos was forced off injured in the 55th minute, bringing a disappointing end to what is almost certainly his final international appearance.
The contest effectively ended when Ermin Mahmic struck 10 minutes from time to make it 3-1, sparking wild celebrations among the Bosnian players and supporters.
As the final whistle sounded, Qatar's players sank to the turf in disappointment while Lopetegui moved from one player to another, offering words of encouragement and consolation.
The defeat not only ended Qatar's hopes of advancing from Group B but also extended an unwanted record. Despite arriving in North America as back-to-back Asian Cup champions, the 2022 World Cup hosts remain without a victory on football's biggest stage, having failed to win any of their six World Cup matches across two tournaments.
For a team that briefly dared to dream after holding Switzerland – arguably the toughest side in the group – the campaign ultimately ended not with a charge towards history, but with a sobering reminder of the gap that remains at the highest level.
