Qatar 0-2 Ecuador: Enner Valencia first-half brace Condemns the Hosts to Opening-Day Defeat

South American nation Ecuador began the 22nd edition of the FIFA Men’s World Cup on a brilliant note, as they defeated hosts Qatar 2-0 in the opening match of the competition which took place at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.

Fenerbahce striker Enner Valencia thought he had put Ecuador ahead in the third minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Valencia then won a penalty in the 15th minute after he was fouled in the area by the Qatari shot-stopper Saad Al Sheeb, before dusting himself up and converting from twelve yards to score the opening goal of the tournament and also become Ecuador’s all-time record scorer in the FIFA World Cup.

He soon made it two goals in fifteen first half minutes, turning in a brilliant header into the back of the net, as the South Americans began their campaign with three valuable points. The loss sees Qatar become the first host country in World Cup history to lose their opening match at the Mundial.

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FULL-TIME AT THE AL BAYT STADIUM: Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY AT THE AL BAYT STADIUM: Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

HALF-TIME AT THE AL BAYT STADIUM: Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

31′ MIN: Enner Valencia powers a header into the bottom left corner to double Ecuador’s advantage.

GOOOAAALLL!!! Qatar 0-2 Ecuador (E. Valencia)

Here is the first goal of the #FIFAWorldCup scored by Enner Valencia for Ecuador. #QATECU#Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/G73UCh7oo0

— Albanus 10 (@Kiswili_10) November 20, 2022

16′ MIN: Enner Valencia converts from twelve yards to put Ecuador ahead and also score the opening goal at Qatar 2022 World Cup. He is his country’s record scorer at the FIFA World Cup with four goals.

GOOOAAALLL!!! Qatar 0-1 Ecuador (E. Valencia)

15′ MIN: Enner Valencia is fouled by Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb, and the center referee Daniel Orsato blows for a penalty.

PENALTY!!! To Ecuador

KICK-OFF AT THE AL BAYT STADIUM: Qatar 0-0 Ecuador

The line-up for Ecuador, as they take on their Qatari opposition. Included in the XI are Brighton and Hove Albion’s duo of Pervis Estupinan and Moises Caicedo, while former West Ham United hitman and current Fenerbahce striker Enner Valencia will captain the side.

The Starting XI for Qatar, as the hosts get set to feature in their first-ever FIFA World Cup.

Here are our heroes who will line up for #AlAnnabi in tonight’s #FIFAWorldCup opening game against Ecuador 💪 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/wTFfOOBU2F

— Qatar Football Association (@QFA_EN) November 20, 2022

The official mascot for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar called “Al Laeeb”.

Veteran Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman was a surprise entry in the Opening Ceremony at the Al Bayt Stadium, as he also helped to open the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Former France and Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly (a former World Cup winner with Les Blues in 1998), holds aloft the trophy inside the Al Bayt Stadium.

The atmosphere is building up! A section of some Qatari fans at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Ecuadorians already in the Al Bayt Stadium to cheer their team, ahead of their clash against the hosts.