FIFA World Cup: Host Qatar lose opener, Enner Valencia scores twice for Ecuador

It was the first-ever World Cup match for Qatar, which qualified automatically as the host nation. However, in recent months, they have been in good form, including a 1-0 victory over Albania in their previous clash.

Ecuador secured their spot in Qatar after finishing in the fourth spot during CONMEBOL. They are unbeaten in their last seven clashes, but six ended in a tie.

Ecuador began the match aggressively and got a golden opportunity to score in the fifth minute, but Enner Valencia was disallowed for offside. However, they got another chance in the 16th minute after Al Sheeb brought down Enner Valencia with a foul, leading to a penalty being awarded to Ecuador.

Enner Valencia takes the shot and calmly slots the ball into the bottom right corner of the net to gain a 1-0 lead for Ecuador with the first goal of the 2022 World Cup.

The Ecuadorian forwards try to carry on with their attacking momentum. Estupinan lifts a cross toward Estrada in Qatar’s box. But he ends up colliding with Al Sheeb. Just two minutes later, the Ecuador captain Enner Valencia went down again, following a tough challenge from Almoez Ali, resulting in a second yellow card for Qatar.

Enner Valencia doubles the lead for Qatar with an excellent header into the bottom left corner of the net after receiving a well-placed cross from Ángelo Preciado. The first half ended with a 2-0 lead for Ecuador.

Qatar began their maiden World Cup match nervously, but it looked like they were gaining confidence as the game went on. They tightened their defence in the second half and successfully prevented their South American opponents from further widening the lead but failed to narrow the deficit.

The 33-year-year-old Ecuadorian is now the top goal scorer for Ecuador in World Cup history, with five goals.

Qatar will lock horns with Senegal in their second Group A clash of the 2022 World Cup, while Ecuador will face the Netherlands on November 25.